Locking nut, bolt and clip systems and assemblies

ABSTRACT

The locking nut and bolt system utilizes a bolt with thread having a plurality of notches generally longitudinally spaced in a predetermined pattern. Each notch has a lock face and an opposing slope. The locking unit carries one or more tines. The tine has a distal tine end adapted to latch onto the lock face of the notch on the bolt and, when the distal tine end is not disposed in one or more notches, the tine end moves on the bolt thread crest. When the distal tine end is in the notch or notches, the lock face of the notch prevents counter-rotational movement of the bolt with respect to the nut when the distal tine end abuts the lock face. The locking unit supports the tine and may be cylindrical, rectangular or on a perpendicular support face normal to a radial plane through the axial centerline of the nut thread. The locking unit may be on a nut insert or may be carried on the leg of a U, J or S-shaped clip. The locking unit may be recessed as a blind hole.

The present application is a is a divisional patent application basedupon and claiming priority from patent application Ser. No. 09/850,273,filed May 7, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,679,663, which is a divisional ofSer. No. 09/389,946 filed Sep. 3, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,264,411,which was a divisional patent application based upon and claimingpriority from patent application Ser. No. 09/056,292, filed Apr. 7,1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,010,289, which continuation-in-part of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 08/747,323 filed Nov. 12, 1996, now U.S.Pat. No. 5,951,224, which claims the priority of provisional patentapplications Ser. Nos. 60/015,230 and 60/015,980, respectively filed onApr. 10, 1996 and Apr. 15, 1996, and the present application is alsobased upon and claims the benefit of provisional patent applicationsSer. Nos. 60/040,987 and 60/050,467, respectively filed on Apr. 2, 1997and Jun. 23, 1997.

BACKGROUND ART

U.S. Pat. No. 307,722 to Klemroth discloses a bolt A with longitudinalchannel D running through the crest of the threads. The nut has a tineextending above a flat end surface of the nut. The tine pops into andout of channel D. U.S. Pat. No. 591,062 to Smith discloses a bolt with alongitudinal channel which enables a chisel to be placed in a slot in anut block and further to stop rotation of the bolt with respect to theblock. U.S. Pat. No. 1,088,892 to Foreman discloses a screw with alongitudinal channel extending through the threads of the bolt. The tineis located outside of the nut threads.

U.S. Pat. No. 1,136,310 to Burnett discloses small notches cut in thetop of the crest of the bolt threads. The notches define radiallyaligned surfaces. A flexible tine in the interior of the nut moves inand out of the small notches. The tine is inserted in a tangentialcavity in the nut. U.S. Pat. No. 1,211,194 to Lang discloses whatappears to be a bolt with longitudinal channels on its threads. A sheetsteel spring is wrapped around an exterior portion of the nut and aportion of the spring is generally radially inserted through the nut tolock into the bolt channels. U.S. Pat. No. 1,226,143 to Stubblefield etal. discloses a bolt with longitudinal channels having a somewhat radialsurface and an angularly disposed surface. The nut has an annular grooveor recess on one end face thereof. A semi-circular member fits withinthe groove. One end of the semi-circular member defines a tangentiallyoriented tine that pops into and out of the bolt channels.

U.S. Pat. No. 1,245,362 to Lynch discloses a bolt with a single, offsetbolt thread crest which catches on a cut-out in the nut. U.S. Pat. No.1,278,028 to Savory et al. discloses a bolt with a longitudinal channeland tines in a nut which are mounted in an internally located groove.The internal groove has a single radial dimension. U.S. Pat. No.1,465,148 to Rosenberg discloses a bolt with a longitudinal channelthrough the thread crest. No nut is shown. U.S. Pat. No. 1,703,947 toNation discloses a bolt with several longitudinal channels. A singletine is located at an interior position in the nut. The tine in the nuthas a terminal end that is radially moved inward based upon the positionof a locking cam. The locking cam biases the terminal end of the tinetowards the notches in the bolt. The locking cam extends radiallythrough the nut. U.S. Pat. No. 2,232,336 to Meersteiner discloses a boltwith a longitudinal channel. No nut is shown.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,301,181 to Ilsemann discloses non-load bearing orcarrying faces of most of the bolt threads which are deformed and whichcarry locking projections. Locking projections on a plurality of boltthreads are adapted to engage nut threads and compensate for theclearances in the assembly to align and frictionally lock the nut andbolt together. The non-load carrying faces of each bolt thread includetwo annular series of spaced, rounded projections. The surfaces of theprojections are substantially rounded. Bolt projections force the loadbearing surface of the bolt against the load bearing surfaces of thenut. U.S. Pat. No. 2,484,645 to Baumle discloses a bolt withlongitudinal channels. No nut is shown. U.S. Pat. No. 2,521,257 toSample discloses a bolt with longitudinal channels. Springy tines aremounted at one end of the nut and the tines flip in and out of channels.The tines are sheared from the threads on the nut. Accordingly, there isno space radially behind the tines when the tine is fully compressed bythe crest on the bolt thread.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,834,390 to Stevens discloses bolts which appear to havelongitudinal channels through the threads. A plurality of radiallyinward pointed teeth on the nut provide locking for the combination.U.S. Pat. No. 3,176,746 to Walton discloses that each crest of eachthread on the bolt has a gouged out portion. These portions, whenaligned, are similar to a longitudinal channel. No nut is disclosed.U.S. Pat. No. 3,517,717 to Orlomoski discloses threads on a bolt whichinclude two outwardly directed prongs. The prongs flex inward when thebolt is screwed onto a nut. The sliced away wedge or prongs do not havea narrow mouth and a deep throat. No nut is disclosed.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,792,757 to Wright discloses a nut with a bore having atriangular cross-sectional dimension. U.S. Pat. No. 3,982,575 to Olliset al. discloses a thread on each bolt with a plurality of ridgesforming wedge surfaces. U.S. Pat. No. 4,024,899 to Stewart discloses atop of each crest of the bolt thread having a slice and a prongprotruding therefrom. The prong fits within a cut-out depression in theroot of the nut thread. The cut-outs at the root of the threads do notappear to be radially aligned. U.S. Pat. No. 4,168,731 to Taberdiscloses a root of the nut with a cut-out and the bolt having aplurality of wedges which fit within the nut cut-out.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,790,703 to Wing discloses a nut with a bore with animperfect, non-symmetrical cross-sectional aspect. U.S. Pat. No.4,790,208 to Kaiser et al. discloses a bolt with a longitudinal channelthrough the threads.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,238,342 to Stencel discloses a bolt with a longitudinalchannel into which snaps inwardly biased wings from a nut insert. Thenut insert has a radially extending top flange (similar to a hat ring)and is formed as an elongated cylinder which fits within a cylindricalend bore in the nut. The wings from the insert protrude inwardly at anangle, tangentially inward towards the bolt's axial centerline. Thewings are pressed inward from the elongated cylinder of the nut insert.The terminal end of the wings lock into axial or longitudinal groovesrunning through the bolt thread. The nut insert is keyed to a certainposition on the nut by a key-tab and a complementary lockway.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,460,468 to DiStasio discloses a bolt having one or morelongitudinal channels through the bolt threads. The nut has one or moretines which cooperate with the channels to prevent counter-rotation ofthe bolt with respect to the nut. The tine or tines define a narrowmouth leading to a wider throat behind the tine such that the mouth andthroat enable the tine to flex therein while the bolt threads radiallymove the tine back and forth during one-way rotation of the bolt withrespect to the nut.

U.S. Pat. No. 1,208,210 to Purcell discloses a locking nut withtangential slot within which is disposed a spring pawl. The terminal endof the pawl interacts with a spiral groove through the bolt thread.

U.S. Pat. No. 827,289 to Bowers discloses a generally circular inserthaving a key end, fitted into a radial keyway in the nut, and a tineterminal end which cooperates with a longitudinal or axial groove on thebolt thread.

U.S. Pat. No. 589,599 to Hardy discloses a semi-circular nut insert witha generally radially aligned tine. The tine locks into a longitudinalgroove in the bolt thread. A space is provided radially behind the tineto permit the tine to flex inboard and outboard as the tine moves intoand out of the longitudinal groove on the bolt thread.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,538,378 to Van Der Drift discloses a nut insert which isflat punched to define a series of circumferential tines. The insert hasa cut-out region radially behind each tine. The terminal end of eachtine falls into a recess at the bottom of the root of the bolt thread.The nut insert is captured in a recess at an end face of the nut.

U.K. Patent Publication No. 142,748 to Thibert discloses a semi-circularnut insert having a tangentially oriented locking tine. The tine movestangentially, not radially, when the tine drops into and moves out ofthe longitudinal groove in the bolt thread.

U.K. Patent Publication No. 662,298 to Simmonds a swagged nut insert.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide locking nut and boltsystems with one or more compressible tines carried by nut inserts orformed on U, S and J-shaped clips.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a locking nutand bolt system with a latch mechanism which places the compressibletine into a locking position or a closed position.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a lockingnut and bolt system wherein the bolt head carries notches thereon andthe compressible tine or tines block counter-rotational movement byinteracting with the notches on the bolt head.

It is another object of the present invention to provide locking nut andbolt systems which utilize bolts having a longitudinal aligned lockingchannel in the same plane as the bolt's axial centerline and boltshaving a locking channel forming a spiral about the axial centerline.

It is an additional object to provide for removal tools for the lockingnut and bolt combination.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The locking nut and bolt system utilizes a bolt with an axial centerlineand a bolt thread having one or a plurality of notches generallylongitudinally spaced in a predetermined pattern with proximal notchesbeing longitudinally adjacent each other on the bolt thread. Each notchhas a lock face and an opposing slope. The nut, with complementarythreads, includes a recess on an end face. The recess has a centralregion, a recessional mouth open to the internal nut thread passage anda tangential cavity tangentially disposed with respect to the nutthread. An elongated tine has a planar tine body, a distal tine endoffset from the planar tine body and proximal tine end formed as a loop.The loop has a shape complementary to the tangential cavity shape. Thetine loop may be U-shaped with a respective leg exerting radiallydirected or tangentially directed opposing spring forces against the nutwalls forming the tangential cavity or may be a solid planar elementsized to fit within the tangential cavity.

In another embodiment, the recess on the end face of the nut defines acircumferential recess about the nut's axial centerline and includes ashoulder. A nut insert is placed in the recess on the shoulder. The nutinsert has a planar body defined as a peripheral ring and at least onetine depends from the planar body in a substantially tangential planewith respect to the axial centerline of the bolt.

In both embodiments, the tine has a distal tine end adapted to latchonto the lock face of the notch on the bolt and, when the distal tineend is not disposed in one or more notches, the tine end moves on thebolt thread crest. When the distal tine end is in the notch or notches,the lock face of the notch prevents counter-rotational movement of thebolt with respect to the nut when the distal tine end abuts the lockface.

Preferably, the nut insert includes a plurality of tinescircumferentially disposed about the planar peripheral ring of the nutinsert. In a further embodiment, the nut insert includes planar supportplates extending radially inward toward the axial centerline therebycreating radial free space for the radial movement of the tine beneaththe planar support plates and the planar peripheral ring of the nutinsert.

In a further embodiment, locking is provided by an elongated lockingunit formed as a cylinder. This locking unit cylinder is mounted in thenut recess with an axially rearward ring member disposed in thecircumferential nut recess. The cylindrical locking unit axially extendsoutbound from the nut coaxial with the axial centerline of the bolt. Thecylindrical locking unit includes at least one tine, and preferably aplurality of tines, tangentially and radially extending inward towardthe axial centerline. In a further embodiment, each tine is disposedadjacent a respective arcuate cut-out on the cylinder. The axialdisposition of the cylindrical locking unit with respect to the nut andthe cut-out permits the user to visibly identify whether the bolt islocked with respect to the nut because the user can see the dispositionof the distal tine ends in and out of the notches. When the distal tineends are in one or more notches, abutting one or more lock faces,counter-rotational movement is prevented. When the distal tine ends areriding on the bolt thread crest, the nut is not locked with respect tothe bolt.

A further embodiment of the present invention utilizes a locking elementcaptured at the end face of a nut by the disposition of a rearward ringmember of locking element in the nut recess. The locking element has aplurality of axially protruding legs and each leg has a respective tineprotruding tangentially and radially inward toward the axial centerlineof the bolt. Each tine has a distal tine end adapted to latch onto thelock face of the notch and either ride on the bolt thread crest orprevent counter-rotational movement when the distal tine end abuts thelock face.

The one way locking features of the present invention are carriedforward into U, J and S-shaped locking nut and bolt assemblies. Asexplained later in detail, these locking assembly clips are utilized inconjunction with bolts having an axially aligned locking channel formedby a plurality of notches or a spiral locking channel formed by aplurality of notches in a predetermined pattern about a longitudinal andaxial centerline of the bolt. In one embodiment, an elongatedcylindrical locking unit is formed on one of the legs of the U, J orS-shaped clip as a cylindrical locking unit. A nut is formed on theother clip leg. The cylindrical axis of the locking unit isperpendicular to the plane of the clip leg and has at least one tine,and preferably a plurality of tines, protruding tangentially andradially toward the cylindrical axis. The distal tine end of each tineis adapted to latch onto the lock face of the bolt notch or notches. Thetines are disposed on the cylindrical locking unit at correspondingcut-outs. A nut is formed on another leg of the clip. When the clip isplaced on a bored panel such that the axial centerline of the nut, thepanel bore and the cylindrical axis of the cylindrical locking unit aresubstantially coaxially aligned, the notched bolt can be inserted alongthis common axis, and threaded onto the nut while the distal tine endseither move in one or more notches prohibiting counter-rotationalmovement when the distal tine end abuts the locking face of one or morenotches or ride atop the bolt thread crest. The user can visually seewhether the bolt has locked onto the lock clip assembly because of thetines in the cut-outs. This is particularly helpful when the boltcarries only a small segment of either longitudinally aligned orspirally disposed notches.

In another embodiment, the U, J or S-shaped locking nut and boltassembly includes a nut formed on one of the clip legs and a lockingelement formed on another clip leg. The locking element has a lockingelement bore and a plurality of axially protruding legs perpendicular tothe plane of the clip leg. Each locking element leg has a respectivetine which protrudes tangentially and radially inward toward the axialcenterline of the locking element bore which is coaxial with the axialcenterline of the nut on the other clip leg. When the locking elementbore and the nut and the bore through the panel are coaxial, and thespecially configured bolt is placed through the panel bore and the nutand the locking element bore, the position of the distal tine ends arevisible thereby enabling the user to determine whether locking has beenachieved by the locking nut and bolt clip assembly.

In another embodiment, a U-shaped locking nut clip assembly includes aU-shaped clip member, a single thread nut having an arc less than 360°formed on one of the clip legs and a locking element having a lockingelement bore formed on the other clip leg. The locking element bore iscoaxial with the axial centerline of the single thread nut. The lockingelement includes a plurality of axially protruding legs and each leg hasa tine extending tangentially and radially inward toward the axialcenterline. When the U-shaped clips is placed on the bored panel and theaxial centerline of the nut is coaxial with the bore through the paneland the specially configured bolt is placed thereat, the position of thedistal tine ends of the locking element are visible to the user enablingvisible confirmation of locking action by the distal tine ends into oneor more notches and abutment of the tine ends on the locking faces ofthe notches on the bolt.

In a further embodiment, the U-shaped locking nut assembly includes aU-shaped member, a single thread nut having an arc less than 360° formedon a first clip leg and an elongated, cylindrical locking unit formed onthe other clip leg. One tine, and preferably a plurality of tines,protrude tangentially and radially inward toward the cylindrical axiswhich is coaxial with the axial centerline of the single thread nut.When the clip is placed in a position on the bored panel with the axialcenterline of the single thread nut coaxially with the bore and thespecially configured bolt placed thereat, the user can determine whetherthe tines have locked onto the bolt because the position of the distaltine ends are visible. Visibility is enhanced because of cut-outs in thecylindrical locking unit at each tine.

In another embodiment, the U-shaped locking nut assembly includes aU-shaped clip member, a single thread nut having an arc less than 360°formed on one clip leg, and a locking element formed on the same clipleg beyond the arc of the nut thread. The locking element has an axiallyprotruding leg perpendicular to the plane of the clip leg. The axiallyprotruding leg also has a tine protruding tangentially and radiallyinward toward the axial centerline defined by the single thread nut.When the U-shaped clip is placed on a bored panel and the axialcenterline of the single thread nut is coaxial with the bore through thepanel and the specially configured bolt is placed thereat, the distaltine end from the locking element prohibits counter-rotational movementwhen the tine end falls within the notch on the bolt and abuts the lockface. Otherwise, the bolt can be threaded on the single thread nut sincethe distal tine end rides atop the bolt thread crest.

In a further embodiment, a U-shaped locking nut clip assembly includes aU-shaped clip member, a nut formed on one clip leg, and an elongatedlocking unit formed as a cylinder on an outboard axial end of the nut.The locking unit has one tine and preferably a plurality of tinesprotruding tangentially and radially inward toward the axial centerlineof both the nut and the cylindrical locking unit. When the U-shaped clipis placed on the bored panel and the axial centerline of the nut iscoaxial with the bore through the panel and the specially configuredbolt is placed thereat, the user can determine whether the bolt haslocked to the U-shaped clip because the position of the distal tine endsare visible. When the distal end falls into the notches and abuts thelock faces on the bolt, counter-rotational movement is prohibited. Whenthe distal tine ends ride atop the bolt thread crest, the bolt can berotated with respect to the U-shaped clip.

In another embodiment, the U-shaped locking nut clip assembly includes aU-shaped clip, a nut formed as an elongated thin walled cylinder on oneof the clip legs and a locking unit formed on an interior region of thenut. The locking unit includes a tine protruding tangentially andradially inward toward the axial centerline. When the U-shaped member isplaced on a bored panel and the axial centerline of the nut is coaxialwith the bore through the panel and the specially configured bolt isplaced thereat, the locking unit on the U-shaped clip prohibitscounter-rotational movement when the distal tine end falls within one ormore notches and abuts respective locking faces on the speciallyconfigured bolt. Otherwise, the bolt can be rotated with respect to theU-shaped clip since the distal tine ends ride atop the bolt threadcrest.

In a further embodiment, the locking nut and bolt system includes alatch closure. In this embodiment, the nut has a recess on an end facethereof and an elongated locking unit having a peripheral wall shapedcomplementary to the recess is disposed in the recess. A latch ismoveably disposed on the peripheral wall of the locking unit. Thelocking unit has at least one tine, and preferably a plurality of tines,protruding tangentially and radially inward away from the peripheralwall toward the axial centerline defined by the nut thread. The latch ismoveably disposed on the peripheral wall adjacent the tine and capturesthe tine between the latch and the peripheral wall in a closed positionand, when it moves, fully exposes the tine in a locking position. In alocking position, the distal tine end falls within one or more notcheson the specially configured bolt thereby preventing counter-rotationalmovement when the tine end abuts one or more locking faces. When thedistal tine end has not fallen into one or more notches, the tine endrides atop the bolt thread crest. When the latch is in a closedposition, the distal tine end is captured between the latch and thelocking unit peripheral wall. In one embodiment, the locking unit has arectangular cross-sectional shape and in another configuration, thelocking unit has a circular cross-sectional shape.

In a further enhancement, the locking nut and bolt assembly with a latchcan be used in conjunction with a ratchet tool when the latch is formedas a complementary cylinder to a cylindrical locking unit. In thisconfiguration, the latch has a radially extending user actuatablecontrol surface which enables the latch to rotate thereby placing thetines in a closed position enabling the ratchet tool to move thespecially configured bolt in both a rotational and counter-rotationalmanner or to place the tines on the locking unit in a fully exposedposition or a locking position thereby permitting the ratchet tool tomove the bolt only in a single rotational direction.

In another embodiment, the locking nut and bolt system is utilized inconjunction with a bolt having a plurality of notches defined on thebolt head. A female threaded unit has a nut thread complementary to thebolt thread and also has a recess defined below an end surface of thefemale threaded unit. Also, the locking unit may be surface mounted onthe nut. A locking unit has a peripheral wall complementary to therecess and at least one tine, and preferably a plurality of tines,protruding tangentially and radially inward toward the central axisformed by the female threads on the female threaded unit. The distaltine ends of the locking unit prohibit counter-rotational movement whenthe tine ends fall within the notches on the bolt head and abut thelocking faces. Otherwise, the tines are disposed beyond the notches onthe bolt head and permit rotational movement.

In a further embodiment, the locking nut and bolt is operable with aremoval tool. The removal tool includes axially outboard and biased legswhich are interposed between the proximal tine body and the bolt thread.When rotated, the interposed depending leg withdraws the distal tine endfrom the notches on the bolt thereby permitting removal of the lockingnut from the bolt.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Further objects and advantages of the present invention can be found inthe detail description of the preferred embodiments when taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 a illustrates a bolt having a longitudinal locking channel formedthereon;

FIG. 1 b illustrates the notch or recess on the bolt thread;

FIG. 2 a illustrates a spiral locking channel on the bolt;

FIGS. 2 b and 2 c diagrammatically illustrate a partial, axial side viewof a notched or grooved bolt thread and a diagrammatic cross-sectionalview of the bolt over a thread line 2 b′-2 b″, respectively.

FIGS. 3 a and 3 b illustrate a tine having an offset proximal end loop;

FIG. 4 diagrammatically illustrates the tine placed in a recess in a nutand the tine acting on the bolt threaded onto the nut;

FIGS. 5 a and b illustrate a tine having a proximal end loop disposed inparallel planes with respect to the tine body;

FIG. 6 a diagrammatically illustrates the tine disposed in the recess ina nut and the bolt threaded onto the nut;

FIGS. 6 b-6 e illustrate bolts carrying notches or bolt heads carryinglock face notches (for blind hole applications) and FIGS. 6 f and 6 gillustrate locking protrusions;

FIG. 6 h graphically illustrates the geometry of the angle ofengagement;

FIGS. 6 i-6 q diagrammatically illustrate engagement or locking facewall designs;

FIGS. 7 a, b, c and d diagrammatically illustrate a tine with a proximalend loop formed as a solid planar element and the tine body twisted andthe depending normally from the solid body proximal end loop plane;

FIG. 8 diagrammatically illustrates the tine disposed in the nut recessand the nut threaded on the bolt;

FIG. 9 diagrammatically illustrates a cross-sectional plan view of thetine with the solid planar element from the perspective of section linea′-a″ in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 diagrammatically illustrates another shape for the proximal endloop as a solid planar element in a recess in a nut wherein the bolt isthreaded onto the nut;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the nut having an arcuate recess on anend face;

FIG. 12 illustrates a nut having a nut insert disposed in acircumferential recess and a bolt threaded into the nut;

FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate the nut insert at various production stagesbefore and after the tines have been twisted from the plane defined bythe peripheral ring body of the nut insert;

FIG. 15 illustrates a partial, cut-away view of the nut insert andparticularly shows the shoulder in the recess and the displacement ofthe distal tine end and a portion of the tine body in a radial spacedefined beneath the nut insert;

FIG. 16 shows a nut insert mounted to a nut and a bolt threaded on thenut;

FIGS. 17 a and 17 b show the nut insert in various stages of manufacturewith the tines in the plane of the peripheral ring and the tinesdepending below the plane;

FIG. 18 illustrates a nut insert having planar support plates for thetines with a bolt threaded onto the nut;

FIGS. 19 and 20 illustrate partial, cross-sectional views of the nutinsert and nut from the perspective of section lines a′-a″ and b′-b″ inFIG. 18;

FIGS. 21 and 22 illustrate various stages of manufacture of a nut insertbefore and after the tines have been rotated or twisted from the nutinsert plane;

FIG. 23 illustrates a perspective view of a cylindrical locking unitaffixed to the nut via a rearward ring member disposed in a recess onthe nut end face;

FIG. 24 diagrammatically illustrates the notches on the bolt;

FIGS. 25 a and 25 b provide perspective views of bolts respectivelyhaving (a) a longitudinal locking channel wherein the notches fall inthe same plane as the axial centerline of the bolt and (b) a spirallocking channel wherein the lock notches are longitudinally adjacent butfall in a spiral, predetermined pattern about the axial centerline ofthe bolt;

FIG. 26 diagrammatically illustrates the locking action provided by thetines falling into one or more notches on the bolt;

FIGS. 27 a and 27 b illustrate the cylindrical locking unitsrespectively having circumferentially disposed tines andcircumferentially and axially disposed tines sometimes called the“railroad design”;

FIG. 28 diagrammatically illustrates a bolt having a longitudinallocking channel and a nut carrying the cylindrical locking unit;

FIG. 29 illustrates a partial, cross-sectional view of the cylindricallocking unit mounted in the recess on the end face of the nut;

FIG. 30 a diagrammatically illustrates the bolt locked onto two panelswith a nut and the cylindrical locking unit;

FIGS. 30 b-30 e diagrammatically illustrate the top hat design whichincludes a single, radial end plate above a cylindrical locking unit;

FIG. 30 f diagrammatically illustrates the top hap design or insertmounted in a nut;

FIGS. 30 g-30 i diagrammatically illustrate axially stacked lockingunits or inserts;

FIG. 31 provides a perspective view of a nut carrying a locking elementhaving a plurality of axially protruding legs and a correspondingplurality of tines;

FIG. 32 illustrates the locking action provided by the tines on thelocking element, on the nut and on the specially configured bolt;

FIGS. 33 a and 33 b illustrate various stages of manufacture of thelocking element with the axially protruding legs and tines;

FIG. 34 illustrates a specially configured bolt and a nut carrying thelocking element with the axially protruding legs;

FIG. 35 a shows the nut carrying the locking unit threaded onto thespecial bolt;

FIGS. 35 b-35 e diagrammatically illustrate radial rim locking featureson and about nut faces to affix the locking inserts or locking unitsinto the nut;

FIGS. 35 f-35 oo diagrammatically illustrate stamped (and partiallyextruded) locking nuts or fastener clips;

FIGS. 35 pp-35 ss diagrammatically illustrate a locking drawn barrelfastener;

FIGS. 35 tt-35 xx diagrammatically illustrate pipe or bolt end lockingsystems;

FIGS. 36 and 37 diagrammatically illustrate an S-shaped locking nut andbolt clip assembly wherein one of the clip legs carries a cylindricallocking unit;

FIGS. 38 a and 38 b diagrammatically illustrate an S-shaped locking nutand bolt clip assembly wherein one of the clip legs carries a lockingelement having a plurality of axially protruding legs anddiagrammatically shows a manufacturing stage for the locking element;

FIG. 39 diagrammatically illustrates the S-shaped clip utilized inconjunction with a bolt having a longitudinal locking channel and a bolthaving a spiral locking channel and a panel having a bore;

FIG. 40 diagrammatically illustrates an S-shaped clip having a lockingelement with a plurality of axially protruding legs formed on one clipleg;

FIGS. 41 a and 41 b diagrammatically illustrate stages of manufacturefor the locking element;

FIGS. 42 and 43 diagrammatically illustrate an S-shaped clip and lockingnut and bolt assembly wherein one clip leg carries a cylindrical lockingunit;

FIGS. 44, 45 a, 45 b and 46 a diagrammatically illustrate an S-shapedclip wherein one clip leg carries a locking element having a pluralityof axially protruding legs, diagrammatically shows various stages ofmanufacture of the locking element and diagrammatically shows a sideview of the S-shaped clip with the bored panel;

FIGS. 46 b-46 g diagrammatically illustrate various clip locks, clipfasteners or nuts which may be configured as separate locking nuts orfasteners (see FIGS. 46 f and 46 h) or may be disposed on a leg of a U,J or S-shaped clip;

FIGS. 46 h-46 j diagrammatically illustrate a locking mechanism with thethreaded nut barrel disposed on a axial end of a cylindrical, tinecarrying locking unit or structure;

FIG. 47 diagrammatically illustrates a U-shaped clip or locking nutassembly wherein one of the clip legs carries a single thread nut andthe other clip leg carries a locking element with a plurality of axiallyprotruding legs;

FIG. 48 diagrammatically illustrates a partial view of the single threadnut;

FIG. 49 diagrammatically illustrates a U-shaped clip with a singlethread nut on one clip leg and a cylindrical locking unit on the otherclip leg;

FIG. 50 diagrammatically illustrates a U-shaped clip with a singlethread nut used in connection with either the special bolt with alongitudinal locking channel or the special bolt with a spiral lockingchannel;

FIG. 51 diagrammatically illustrates a U-shaped locking nut clipassembly having a single thread nut and a locking element formed beyondthe arc of the nut thread;

FIGS. 52 a and 52 b illustrate a side view of the U-shaped and J-shapedclip;

FIGS. 53 a and 53 b illustrate bolts having longitudinal lockingchannels and spiral locking channels;

FIGS. 54 a and 54 b diagrammatically illustrate various stages ofmanufacture of the clip leg carrying the single thread nut and lockingelement;

FIG. 55 diagrammatically illustrates a J-shaped clip having a singlethread nut and a locking element formed beyond the arc of the nutthread;

FIG. 56 a diagrammatically illustrates a clip having a segmented singlethread nut with a plurality of locking element legs between eachsegment;

FIGS. 56 b-56 h diagrammatically illustrate clip fasteners with a singlenut thread on a clip leg (the clips may be U, J or S-shaped);

FIGS. 57 and 58 diagrammatically illustrate clips having a nut on oneclip leg and a cylindrical locking unit formed on the outboard axial endof the nut;

FIG. 59 illustrates a detailed view of the nut and cylindrical lockingunit;

FIG. 60 diagrammatically illustrates a partial, cross-sectional, brokenaway side view of the nut with the cylindrical locking unit formed on anaxial outboard end;

FIGS. 61 a and 61 b diagrammatically illustrate the tines from theperspective of section lines a′-a″ and b′-b″ in FIG. 60;

FIG. 62 diagrammatically illustrates a side view of a U-shaped lockingnut clip assembly with a thin walled nut and a locking unit formed aninterior region of the nut;

FIGS. 63 a-h diagrammatically illustrate plan side views and end viewsof the nut and locking unit at various stages of manufacture (with theaxial view from the perspective of corresponding section lines in FIGS.63 a, c, e and g);

FIG. 64 a diagrammatically illustrates a perspective view of the thinwalled nut and intermediate locking unit;

FIG. 64 b graphically illustrates the spacial flex zone and locking zonefor the locking fasteners illustrated in FIGS. 64 a and 67;

FIG. 65 illustrates a side view of a locking nut clip assembly (atruncated U-shaped clip or a J-shaped clip) wherein the locking unit ison an interior of the nut adjacent one axial end of the nut;

FIGS. 66 a, b, c and d diagrammatically illustrate various stages ofmanufacture of the locking unit formed on the interior of the nut at oneaxially end;

FIG. 67 diagrammatically illustrates a perspective view of the thinwalled cylindrical nut and the locking unit on an interior portion ofthe nut adjacent one axial end;

FIGS. 68 a and 68 b illustrate a bolt having a longitudinal lockingchannel and a spiral locking channel, respectively;

FIG. 69 diagrammatically illustrates a perspective view of a lockingunit having a peripheral wall with a plurality of tines protrudingtangentially and radially inward;

FIG. 70 diagrammatically illustrates a perspective view of the lockingunit carrying two latches which are moveably disposed on the peripheralwall carrying the locking tines;

FIGS. 71 a and 71 b diagrammatically illustrate side views from theperspective of section line a′-a″ in FIG. 70 and from the perspective ofsection line b′-b″ in FIG. 70;

FIG. 72 illustrates a side view of a nut carrying the locking unit;

FIGS. 73 a, b and c and 74 a, b and c diagrammatically illustrate topviews of the locking unit in a locking position; an intermediateposition and a closed position (FIG. 73 c) and the locking unit disposedin a nut with a bolt threaded on the nut in a locking position, anintermediate position and a closed position (FIG. 74 c);

FIGS. 75 a and 75 b diagrammatically illustrate a perspective view ofthe locking unit formed as a cylindrical locking unit before and afterthe formation of channel members;

FIG. 76 diagrammatically illustrates a perspective view of a latchformed as a complementary cylinder;

FIG. 77 diagrammatically illustrates a perspective view of thecylindrical locking unit with the cylindrical latch inserted therein;

FIG. 78 illustrates a top view of the cylindrical locking unit, thecylindrical latch mounted on and in a recess on the end face of a nut;

FIG. 79 diagrammatically illustrates a perspective view of a cylindricallatch (without an axial end cap);

FIG. 80 diagrammatically illustrates a perspective view of a cylindricallatch mounted into a cylindrical locking unit;

FIGS. 81 and 82 illustrate a side view of a cylindrical locking unit anda cylindrical latch and a side view of that same system mounted into arecess in an end face of a nut;

FIG. 83 illustrates a side view of the nut carrying a cylindricallocking unit and a cylindrical latch about to be threaded onto a boltthread having a longitudinal locking channel;

FIG. 84 illustrates a side view of the locking nut and bolt assemblylocking two panels together;

FIGS. 85 and 86 illustrate a bolt carrying a longitudinal lockingchannel and a spiral locking channel, respectively;

FIGS. 87 a and 87 b diagrammatically illustrate a perspective view of acylindrical locking unit before and after a channel member has beendefined on the peripheral wall carrying the locking tines;

FIG. 88 diagrammatically illustrates a cylindrical latch having a useractuatable control surface extending radially from one axial endthereof;

FIG. 89 diagrammatically illustrates a perspective view of a cylindricallocking unit and a complementary cylindrical latch mounted therein;

FIG. 90 illustrates an end view of the cylindrical locking unit andcylindrical latch mounted into the recess on an end face of a nut;

FIG. 91 diagrammatically illustrates a socket with a cylindrical latchhaving a user actuatable control surface extending from the socket(i.e., a removal tool) which is about to be mounted on a receptacle on arachet tool;

FIG. 92 diagrammatically illustrates a plan view of the socket and thecylindrical latch with a user actuatable radial control surface;

FIG. 93 diagrammatically illustrates a cross-sectional plan view of thesocket and the cylindrical latch;

FIGS. 94 a and 94 b diagrammatically illustrate a female threaded unitin various stages of manufacture;

FIGS. 95 a and 95 b diagrammatically illustrates a perspective view anda side view, respectively, of a locking unit with a peripheral wallcarrying a plurality of tines;

FIG. 96 diagrammatically illustrates the locking unit mounted in therecess of the female threaded unit;

FIGS. 97 a, b and c illustrate a side view, an end view (from thesection line b′-b″) and a perspective view of the bolt having a notchedbolt head;

FIGS. 98 a and 98 b diagrammatically illustrate a perspective view andan end view of the notched bolt head threaded into the female unitwherein the tines lock onto the notches on the bolt head;

FIG. 99 diagrammatically illustrates a removal tool about to be placedatop the locking nut and associated bolt;

FIGS. 100, 101 and 102 respectively diagram the user actuable controlsurface; the depending leg interposed between the locking body carriedby the nut; and the depending leg lifting the distal tine end away fromthe notch on the bolt after rotation;

FIG. 103 a diagrammatically illustrates a partial, detail end view of anut carrying the locking body with an interspace identified forinsertion of a depending leg; and,

FIGS. 103 b-115 diagrammatically illustrate blind hole one-way lockingfasteners or nut and bolt combination.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention relates to a locking nut and bolt and fastenersystem and clips forming a locking nut assembly, a locking nut and boltsystem having a latch, and a removal tool for such locking systems.

FIG. 1 a illustrates bolt 20 having a longitudinal locking channel 28through bolt threads 26. Bolt threads 26 are formed on bolt stem 24.Bolt 20 includes bolt head 22. Bolt 20 includes an axial centerline C-C′numerically identified as centerline 60 in the figure. A nut 40 has beenthreaded onto bolt thread 26. It should be noted that the longitudinallocking channel 28 may extend the entire length of bolt thread 26 or mayoccupy a segment or a portion of thread 26. As described later, nut 40has some type of locking mechanism disposed thereon or therein whichgenerally includes a compressible tine which moves into the notch formedon each bolt thread and out of the notch and rides atop the crest of thebolt thread. As used herein, the term “compressible” refers to a tinethat moves generally radially into a locking notch or groove. FIG. 1 bdiagrammatically illustrates a partial view of the bolt. Bolt thread 26includes bolt thread crest 30 and a trough 32. Notch 34 may be deeperthan trough 32 or may be a shallow notch on crest 30. The longitudinalchannel 28 in FIG. 1 a is formed by a plurality of notches shown in FIG.1 b as notch 34. Notch 34 includes a locking face 36 and an opposingslope 38. Other notch designs are illustrated in FIGS. 2 c and 6 b. Whenthe distal tine end falls into notch 34, locking action occursprohibiting counter-rotational movement when the tine end abuts lockface 36. When the distal tine end is circumferentially beyond notch 34,the tine end rides atop bolt thread crest 30. Dependent upon the axialdimension of the distal tine end and the axial distance betweencircumferentially aligned segments of bolt thread crest 30, the distaltine end may interact with a single notch or may interact with aplurality of notches.

FIG. 1 a illustrates a bolt having a longitudinal locking channel formedas a predetermined pattern with proximal notches being longitudinallyadjacent each other. FIG. 2 a illustrates bolt 41 having a spirallocking channel 43. Spiral locking channel 43 is formed of a pluralityof notches, similar to notch 34 in FIG. 1 b, however these notches whenplaced adjacent longitudinally each other form a spiral 43 about theaxial centerline D′-D″ in FIG. 2 a. The spiral locking channel 43 alsoconsists of a plurality of notches generally longitudinally formed onthe bolt thread 45 in a predetermined spiral pattern with proximalnotches being longitudinally adjacent each other on the bolt thread. Inother words, each notch on adjacent circumferential segments of the boltthread 45 are generally longitudinally adjacent. However, a group ofnotches form a spiral pattern about the bolt. This notch patternaccommodates the axial dimension of the compressible distal tine end.However, when a plurality of notches is defined on bolt thread 45, theplurality of notches forms a predetermined spiral pattern about axialcenterline D′-D″. Bolt heads 22, 41 may be hexagonal and may include arecess for an allen wrench or slots for screwdrivers. Further details ofthe specially configured bolts and other features of the operation ofthe locking nut and bolt assembly can be found in U.S. Pat. No.5,460,468 to DiStasio which is incorporated herein by reference thereto.Also, additional details of the locking nut and bolt assembly, thecompressible tine and features of the specially configured bolts and thelocking nut and bolt assembly consisting of clips can be found in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 08/747,323, filed Nov. 12, 1996, by RobertDiStasio and the contents of that patent application are incorporatedherein by reference thereto.

FIG. 2 b diagrammatically illustrates a partial, axial side view of bolt1003 having bolt thread 1005, root 1006 and a plurality of notches orcut-outs 1008, 1009, 1010, 1012 forming an axial channel or groove. FIG.2 c illustrates a diagrammatic cross-section of bolt 1003 along thecrest of bolt thread 1005. Bolt 1003 is designed to operate as a lockingratchet. The teeth 1013 (beyond cut-out or notch 1012) are equallyspaced apart. The following table provides exemplary dimensions.

Bolt Thread Groove Table Outside diameter y  0.385″ Thread gap x  0.059″Ratchet tooth arc w 40 degrees Descending slope 1015 angle v 55 degreesmaximum lock face 1017 angle u 10 degrees base 1019 t  0.050 lock face1017 height s  0.020

Bolt 1003 may be used with the fastening nuts, clips and fastenersrather that bolts 20, 41.

FIGS. 3 a, 3 b and 4 illustrate an elongated tine and a nut and boltsystem. These figures will be discussed concurrently herein. FIGS. 3 aand 3 b show elongated tine 50 having a generally planar tine body 51, adistal tine end 53 angularly disposed at an offset position with respectto planar body 51 and a proximal tine end loop 55 opposite distal tineend 53. Proximal end loop 55 is angularly offset with respect to planarbody 51. Proximal end loop 55 is generally U-shaped and has legs 57, 59.

Elongated tine 50 is placed in recess 62 formed on end face 64 of nut 66as shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 11 shows a generic example of nut 66 having a recess 67 on end face64. Arcuate recess 67 generally shows the shape of recess 62 in nut 66in FIG. 4. However, nut 66 in FIG. 11 provides a perspective, brokenaway, partial view of nut 66, nut thread 68 and the central axis E′-E″for nut 66.

Returning to FIG. 4, recess 62 includes a central arcuate region 70 anda recessional mouth 72 open to the internal passageway about the centralaxis of nut 66. Recess 62 also includes a tangential cavity 74 which istangentially disposed with respect to the nut thread 68. In FIG. 4, thetangential aspect of tangential cavity 74 is identified by section lineF′-F″. Proximal tine end loop 55 is disposed in tangential cavity 76such that the U-shaped legs 57, 59 exert radially directed, opposingspring force against the nut walls forming the tangential cavity. Theseradially directed forces, one of which is radially directed toward theaxial centerline of the nut and the bolt and the other of which isradially directed away from that coaxial centerline, lock tine 50 intorecess 62. Distal end 53 of tine 50 moves radially inward and outwarddependent upon whether tine end 53 falls in one of the notches or ridesatop the bolt thread crest. Recess 62 is large enough and central region70 is large enough such that distal tine 53 moves radially into centralregion 70 when the tine end rides on the bolt thread crest. This is thespacial flex zone of this locking system. As an example of the distaltine end moving in the radial space of central region 70, see FIGS. 8and 10.

When distal tine end 53 abuts the lock face of the notch,counter-rotational movement is prohibited. This occurs when the tine isin the locking zone. Rotational movement shown by arrow 77 is permittedsince distal tine end 53 rides the opposing slope 38 of the notch 34(see FIG. 1 b) and moves onto the bolt thread crest 30 based upon therelative position of the bolt and nut 66. Bolt 78 is shown as includingfour circumferentially disposed locking channels. However, the bolt mayinclude only a single locking channel as shown in connection with bolt20 in FIG. 1 a.

The radially directed tine locking forces affecting the nut wallsadjacent U-shaped legs 57, effectively lock tine 50 into recess 62.Tangential cavity 74 is tangentially disposed with respect to centralregion 70 in that it is slightly radially beyond the nut thread crestand nut trough. See FIG. 11.

FIGS. 5 a, 5 b and 6 are discussed concurrently herein. FIG. 5 a showsan elongated tine 80 having a planar body 81, a distal tine end 82offset at an angle with respect to planar tine body 81 and a proximaltine end loop 83. End loop 83 consists of a U-shaped body having legs84, 85. Legs 84, 85 lie either in the same plane as planar body 81 or ina plane parallel to planar body 81.

Tine 80 is placed in recess 90 formed in nut 91. Recess 90 has a centralregion 92, a recessional mouth 93, and a tangential cavity 94. Therecessional mouth is open to the axial centerline of the nut. Tangentialcavity 94 is generally in the same plane as central region 92. Legs 84,85 exert opposing spring forces against the nut walls formed bytangential cavity 94. These forces are generally tangentially disposedwith respect to nut thread 95 and the axial centerline of bolt 96.

Recess 90 establishes a radial free space radially behind tine 80 (thespacial flex zone) and particularly planar body 81. This enables tine 80to move into and out of the radial free space dependent upon theposition of distal tine end 82. When distal tine end 82 is disposed inone or more notches on bolt 96 (shown in FIG. 6 a), the radial freespace is large. When the distal tine end 82 rides atop the bolt crest(see generally FIGS. 8, 10), the radial free space behind tine body 81and tine 80 is reduced. The parallel plane configuration of legs 84, 85is illustrated in FIG. 6 a. The forces exerted against the nut wall bylegs 84, 85 are generally tangentially oriented in plane G′-G″.

Sometimes, reference will be made to certain terms explained below.

A “locking zone” is the area where a locking mechanism, such as a tine,engages a locking face, on a bolt or pipe thread, to preventcounter-rotation. In a general sense, the space making up the zoneextends from one or more locking faces on the bolt thread (or the bolthead in the so-called “blind hole” locking design shown in FIGS. 97 a,and 103 b et al. or the blind hole nut in FIGS. 114-115), and projectsout to a perimeter of the bolt or locked item. For example, in athreaded bolt manufactured with a groove or a slot, the locking zone isthe volumetric space missing from a comparable threaded bolt without agroove or slot. See FIG. 6 b. Of course, multiple grooves or slots maybe formed in the bolt thread. In another embodiment, such as aprotrusion on a polygonal shaped object, the locking zone extends fromthe outer most point of the protrusion and surrounds and mimics theperimeter of the polygon in a space determined by the height of theprotrusion. In a strictly mechanical sense, the locking zone is definedas the difference between the greatest radial distance at the outer edgeof the protrusion and the radially inner distance at the base of theprotrusion. See FIG. 6 g. Since the protrusion describes a circle whenrotated about an axial centerline, any locking mechanism or tine in theperipheral band or locking zone will engage the protrusion and hencelock the rotating bolt or pipe against the stationary nut or fastener.

Also, the lockable bolt or pipe or bolt head or nut may carry a cut-out,groove or slot. The locking zone in this embodiment is the radialdifference between the radially outermost portion of the slot and theroot or radially innermost portion of the slot, groove or cut-out. If atine or locking element falls into the locking zone and engages thelocking face, counter-rotational movement is prohibited.

Any body can contain one or more locking zones

A “spacial flex zone” is a spacial area around the locking mechanism,(for example, a tine), once the locking device or mechanism is fullyoutside of the locking zone. The spacial flex zone allows the lockingmechanism (i.e., tine) to operate, flex naturally and retract from thelocking zone without permanent deformation.

The “spacial flex zone” whether in clips, nuts or blind hole clips orblind hole bolts: (a) allows tines to flex naturally with a sufficientlong straight tine or variations with bent tines; (b) prevents the tinefrom taking a set; (c) allows variations of engagement angle; (d) allowsgrooves to be above, or below, the minor of the bolt; and (e) reducesresistance during installation by an end-user who may not need a wrenchto spin the nut on the bolt.

The spacial flex zone allows a variety of different shaped tines toaccomplish (a) secure engagement during locking; and (b) flexing duringinbound installation; and (c) flexing during outbound removal.

The tine design and the spacial flex zone prevents the tine frombouncing out of the locking zone and malfunctioning followinginstallation. For example, in one embodiment the spacial flex zone is aradial space or cavity between the bolt and the tine housing.

Sometimes, the term “angle of engagement” is utilized herein. Inpreferred embodiments, tines intersect the engagement face in a lockingzone at an angle less than 90 degrees to prevent the tine from poppingout under stress. See FIG. 6 h. Keeping the tine from popping out isimportant. The deeper the tine drops into the slot or locking zone andabuts the locking engagement face, the easier it is to achieve a highquality angle of engagement.

Although a short tine can achieve an adequate angle of engagement, itgenerally will not flex correctly. A steep angle of engagement alsoexerts excessive forces on the tine, even deforming the tine should itexceed the yield point, as it flexes in and out of the grooves.

There are certain benefits of a longer tine. A longer tine willgenerally result in less wear and tear on the bolt and tine whenapplying the nut to a bolt. See FIG. 64 b. A tine of sufficient lengththat has attained an acceptable angle of engagement will keep the tineunder its “yield strength” and avoid permanent deformation when turningthe nut onto a bolt. A short explanation of yield strength is set forthbelow.

The longer the tine, the smaller the radial angle of flex of the tine.This lowers the chance of the tine being permanently deformed whichcould result in either losing the angle of engagement or losing itsdesigned form as it is installed. If the tine loses its “spring” itceases to function correctly.

The tine can overcome this tendency to permanently deform and/orincorrectly function if there is a sufficient spacial flex zone in thelocking system. For example, there should be an adequate spacial flexzone between the outer radial diameter of the bolt and the point wherethe tine is attached to its base mechanism. This attachment is sometimesreferred to herein as the proximal end portion or region of the tine.The portion of the tine that engages the locking face in the lockingzone is the distal end or terminal end of the tine.

In other embodiments, the distal end of the tine is juxtaposed or nearthe circumference of the outer diameter of the male thread. To functionwithout distorting the tine, the spring tine must be bent away from thebolt thread when outside the locking zone and radially moved into thespacial flex zone. A second bend at the distal end of the tine moves thetine back from the bolt at an angle of engagement. See FIG. 14. Thispermits the tine to be lengthened and, depending on the composition andthickness of the tine, will increase the tine's flexibility andeffectiveness.

The issue of yield strength of the tine is important. Without the properspacial flex zone, deformation of the tine can occur during retraction.For example, if the tine is forced into a concave shape or any otherposition that results in jamming or distortion of the tine body, it willnot function correctly.

General comments regarding certain aspects of the present inventionfollow.

The stamped fasteners (e.g. FIGS. 35 f-35 oo) may be considered a uniquesub-group within the locking nut and bolt system.

When referring to a “locking position or closed position”, the term“engaged” may better explain the system.

The invention described herein is not limited to “fasteners” but is alsorelevant to threaded pipe or rod and all other objects that requirelocking attachments where counter-rotation is undesirable.

General comments regarding bolt and nut combinatory systems follow.

A variety of designs for tines and engagement walls attain apredetermined “angle of engagement”.

The system allows an end-user to visually view or inspect the lockingmechanism, confirming the locking engagement.

The nut in the system is nearly “free spinning” during assembly. Thiscan only be accomplished by designing the tines to reduce resistance(friction) during one-way rotation. The tines should be as long aspossible and the spacial flex zone around the bolt should be largeenough for the longer tine to correctly flex.

An important object of the invention is to establish the correctgeometry to attain consistent engagements of tines in grooves at minimaland consistent degrees between engagements based on a mathematicalformula. Odd number of tines off-set against an even number of groovesor an even number of tines off-set against and odd number of grooves.

The formula follows: 360 divided by (the number of equally spaced tines)times (the number of equally spaced grooves)=degrees betweenengagements. Example: 360/8×9=5 degrees represents 8 tines and 9 groovesor slots.

This mathematical relationship represents a vast improvement overhaphazard spacing of tines, i.e., over 100, 120, 160 degrees.

The invention allows the locking system to be re-tightened or re-torquedwhen necessary.

Once the system is engaged it can be easily disengaged. This is providedby the removal tool and the latch. See FIGS. 99 and 89 and 95 a.

In many embodiments of the invention, redundant locking features can beprovided with simultaneous engagement of tines in locking zones toreduce the locking dependence on single tines and to disperse thelocking stresses over multiple tines when necessary within extremevibrational environments.

In many embodiments, the stamped tine can be installed on the nutwithout a keyway or orientation with respect to the nut other than thestamped tine and locking nut insert being upside down.

In many embodiments, in order to prevent rotation of the lockingmechanism, ridges or striations are formed on the nut end face. The endnut face is the planar, radially aligned, circumferential wall on whichthe “brim” sits. A cutout on the brim of the top hat nut insert (FIGS.430 b-30 e) allows the swaged wall of the nut to fill the cutout duringswaging.

In several embodiments, the V-shaped cutouts in the “brims” of the tophat design or the railroad design are not designed to key the clip orinsert to a certain orientation on the nut since circumferentialorientation of the locking insert is not necessary. This reducesassembly costs.

In several embodiments of the invention, incorrect installation of thenut by the end user is prevented because the nut can not beinadvertently put on backwards. Because there are no threads easilyaccessible from the locking tine side, the nut can only be threadedinbound from one side.

The invention has a minimum number of parts for ease of assembly. Thismakes the system easily manufacturable with a minimum number ofsecondary processes.

In order to help the end user save time during installation of the nutand bolt system, the present invention does not use cotter pins thatrequire either expensive tools or manual instructions and bending. Thepresent system is simply threaded together. In many embodiments, theuser is able to install the locking system with ordinary tools, such asa wrench or nutrunner.

In several embodiments, the invention applies more accurate clamp loadsto the locking system since the nut and bolt are more “free spinning”than prevailing torque nuts. Prevailing torque nuts require more torqueto install the nut on the bolt which results in additional wear and tearon installation tools and guns and adds to worker fatigue duringinstallation of the fastener systems.

General comments regarding fasteners, clips, formed nuts and nutsfollow.

The clip and the tine are manufactured with varying thickness and areadapted to form a positive lock if the distal tine is altered to mateproperly with grooves in a screw and the tines are long enough to allowproper flexing.

The distal tines can be beveled to permit an angle of engagement and/ora mating of tine “shape” with screw grooves to assure mechanicallocking.

The radial spring arms of the tines in certain clip designs areprotected from being accidentally crushed in shipment or duringinstallation using protective structures. See, e.g., FIGS. 46 c, 56 h.

In certain clip and tine designs, a locking clip or tine is integratedinto an extension of a threaded extruded barrel which has been extrudedto a wider diameter to accommodate a spacial flex zone that is notthreaded. FIGS. 46 h-46 j. This double extrusion design serves to savematerial costs and space.

A locking clip is integrated into a lanced threaded extruded barrel thatpermits increased clamp load due to an increase number of threads whichsurround the locking mechanism.

Locking bolt and screw systems have the following general features.

The bolt has an engagement face, within a groove perpendicular orhelical to the threads, that engages a locking tine mechanism at anangle, which prevents counter-rotation of the bolt or screw.

The “angle of engagement” between the tine or locking device and theengagement wall should be less than 90 degrees to prevent the tine fromdisengaging from the bolt notch.

The rising face of the notch, opposite the engagement face, in the threeface groove design, is an innovation to increase the load carryingthread surface, allowing for increased torque tension strength withinthe locking zone of the fastener. FIGS. 2 c, 6 k, 6 n, 6 q.

A three-faced pattern for grooves is utilized to permit better “angle ofengagement” for the tines. FIGS. 6 k, 6 n and 6 q.

The three-faced pattern for grooves allows either a thicker tine toengage on the engaging wall or a variety of distal tine designs, in avariety of materials to seat properly on the engagement wall.

The bolt having a concave engagement wall (FIG. 60) deflects the tineinto the core of the groove and thereby decreases the angle ofengagement at the upper portion of the engagement wall.

The bolt having an “overhung” engagement (FIG. 61) wall deflects thetine into the core of the groove and thereby decreases the angle ofengagement along the engagement wall.

Screw and bolt designs permit the screws or bolts to be rolled with rolldies requiring no secondary processes to make engagement grooves.

The screw or bolt designs have grooves in the bolt or screw limited to azone on the bolt or screw such that the clampload of the fastener iscontained on the full threads of the bolt and the locking device canfully engage in the grooves.

All clips that have a tine on the locking mechanism engage in a lockingzone in a groove above minor.

The “V” cuts in the blind hole clip allow proper seating in a beveledblind hole or a funnel shaped blind hole. FIG. 106.

Four (4) tines or four (4) engagement locking devices can bemanufactured with an economy of material by cutting metal prior tofolding in a pattern that offsets the tines.

FIGS. 6 b-6 g graphically illustrate the locking zone and spacial flexzone for certain locking bolts and locking bolt heads. Locking boltheads are used in connection with the blind hole design (see FIG. 96).With respect to FIG. 6 b, a plurality of locking zones 1101, 1103 arecreated intermediate protrusions 1105, 1107 and 1109. Of course, lockingzones 1101 and 1103 are sometimes referred to as grooves or slotsherein. The spacial flex zone 1120 is the area around locking zones1101, 1103 and graphically identifies the peripheral area in which thedistal end of the locking tine travels when that portion of the lockingtine has not fallen into locking zones 1101, 1103. As described later,solid body 1122 may be the core or stem of the bolt or may be a bolthead.

With respect to FIG. 6 c, locking zones 1101, 1103 have a differentshape (a triangular shape) as compared with locking zones 1101, 1003 inFIG. 6 b. In FIG. 6 b, the locking zones are generally four-sided. Oneside is open to the outermost peripheral dimension of the body.

FIG. 6 d graphically illustrates locking zone 1124 formed within apolygonal shape body 1126. Spacial flex zone 1128 represents the area inwhich the distal end of the tine moves when that end has not fallen intolocking zone 1124. In a strict mechanical sense, assuming body 1126rotates about central axis 1131, the locking zone describes a circularband defined by the outer radial dimension of locking zone 1124 and theradially inward dimension of that zone.

In a like manner, FIG. 6 e includes locking zone 1124 and a square body1125. Square body 1125 rotates about axially center line 1132 and thepolygonal cut-out shape describes a similar circumferential locking zoneband and a spacial flex zone 1128. The tine, when outside the polygonalcut-out, moves in the spacial flex zone.

FIGS. 6 f and 6 g show bodies 1133 having protruding elements 1135, 1137which establish the outer boundary of locking zone 1138. With respect toFIG. 6 g, the mechanically accurate locking zone is a peripheral ring orband established by the radially outermost dimension of protrusions1135, 1137 and dimension 1140 which represents the largest radialdimension of the body other than protrusion 1135, 1137. Body 1133rotates about axially center line 1141. Spacial flex zone 1142 isgraphically illustrated in FIGS. 6 f and 6 g. It should be noted thatthe locking zone and spacial flex zones shown in FIGS. 6 b-6 g are onlyillustrative of these zones and the actual dimensions of the zones arenormally smaller dependent upon the mechanical operation of the tine andthe depth of the groove or the height of the protrusion from therespective rotating body.

FIG. 6 h graphically illustrates the preferred angle of engagement.Rotating body 1144 rotates about axial centerline 1146. The root orinside perimeter of the threads 1147 and the outside perimeter of thethreads 1148 establish locking zone 1150. Engagement wall 1151 includesa locking face 1152 that has a slope 1154 offset approximately 3 degreesfrom diametric centerline 1155. The angle of engagement 1156 isapproximately 89 degrees and the descending slope 1157 of cutout orgroove 1158 has an angle of approximately 91 degrees offset fromimaginary line 1160′-1160″. That imaginary line is coextensive withlocking face 1152 of the cutout or groove 1158.

FIGS. 6 i, 6 l and 6 o graphically illustrate a straight wall groove orcutout 1162, and overhang cutout or groove 1164 and a concave cutout orgroove 1166. A radial line 1163 passes through the axial centerline ofrotating body or bolt 1165. Preferably, that the angle of engagementbetween groove or cutout 1162, 1164, 1166 and the distal tine end (notillustrated) be less than 90 degrees in order to prevent the tine fromdisengaging from the groove. FIGS. 6 j, 6 m and 6 p diagrammaticallyillustrate a flat descending wall 1167. In contrast, FIGS. 6 k, 6 n and6 q graphically illustrate a base wall 1168 and an angularly offsetdescending wall 1169. The overhang on the walls shown in FIGS. 6 m, 6 n,6 p and 6 q tend to decrease the angle of engagement along locking orengaging wall 1161. It is believed that the “three wall” groove designshown in FIGS. 6 k, 6 n and 6 q (and FIG. 2 c), increases the loadcarrying thread surface and permits increased torque tension strengthwithin locking zone 1162, 1164, 1166. This, as a result, results in abetter angle of engagement for the distal end of the tine. Further, thethree wall pattern for locking zone or groove 1162, 1164, 1166 enablesthe use of a thicker tine and permits the designer to select differentmaterials (different types of steel, metal or plastic).

FIGS. 7 a, b, c and d and FIG. 8 are discussed concurrently herein.FIGS. 7 a-d show various manufacturing stages for tine 101. In FIG. 7 a,tine 101 is formed by stamping or cutting the tine from a sheet ofmetal. Although the tines described herein are preferably made of metal,and particularly spring steel metal, plastic tines and plastic nuts andbolts may also be utilized. Tine 101 in FIG. 7 a includes a proximal endloop 103 which is formed as a solid planar element. In FIG. 7 a, tinesegment 105 includes both the planar tine body and the distal tine end.Tine segment 105 is rotated out of the plane established by solid planarelement 103 by rotating segment 105 in the direction shown by arrow 107.In FIG. 7 b, tine 101 has a sold planar element 103 and a planar tinebody 109 which is perpendicular with respect to solid planar element103. FIG. 7 c is a side view of tine 101. FIG. 7 d illustrates tine 101as having a solid planar element 103 which establishes the proximal tineend loop of tine 101, a planar tine body 109 and a distal tine end 111which is angularly offset with respect to planar tine body 109. Distaltine end 111 is formed by bending a tine segment to an angle offset withrespect to planar tine body 109.

In FIG. 8, tine 101 has been mounted into arcuate recession 112 in nut114. Recess 112 is generally similar to recess 90 in FIG. 6 a and recess62 in FIG. 4. As such, recess 112 includes a recessional mouth open tothe internal passageway of nut 114, a central region forming a radialfree space behind tine body 109 and a tangential cavity tangentiallydisposed with respect to nut thread 116. The tangential cavity isgenerally similar to tangential cavity 94 in FIG. 6 a. As such, thetangential cavity is generally coplanar with respect to central region117 of recess 112. Distal tine end 111 moves into and out of the notchesformed in bolt 118. The solid planar element 103 is sized to conformwith the tangential cavity of recess 112. As shown in FIG. 8, distaltine end 111 is riding atop the bolt thread crest of bolt 118.Accordingly, the planar tine body and the distal tine end 111 aredisposed in the radial free space of the recess 112 which has beendiminished by the radially outward movement of the distal tine end 111.

FIG. 9 diagrammatically illustrates a partial, cross-sectional view oftine 101 from the perspective of section line a′-a″ in FIG. 8. Distaltine end 111 and tine body 109 move within central region 117 of recess112. This recess is formed or cut into end face 113 of nut 114. Thesolid planar element 103 is trapped in a shallow recess in nut 114.

FIG. 10 shows nut 114 having a recess 119 having a slightly differentshape. Also, tine 120 has a solid planar proximal tine end loop 121which is shaped complementary to tangential cavity 122. Tine 120 alsohas a tine body that is tangential with respect to the axial centerlineof bolt 123 and is perpendicular to solid planar element 121 whichdefines the proximal end loop of tine 120.

FIG. 12 illustrates nut 150 carrying nut insert 152. The nut insert isdisposed in a circumferential recess on the end face of the nut. Bolt154 is threaded onto nut 150. Nut insert 152 includes a peripheral ring156 and a plurality of tines one of which is tine 158. Tine 158 includesa distal tine end 160. In FIG. 12, distal tine end 160 is riding atopbolt thread crest 162. Tine 164, and in particular distal tine end 166,has fallen into notch 168. Distal tine end 166 preventscounter-rotational movement in the direction shown by arrow 169 withrespect to a fixed nut position for nut 150.

FIGS. 13 and 14 show various manufacturing stages for nut insert 152. InFIG. 13, nut insert 152 has been stamped or cut from a planar sheet ofmetal, such as spring metal. Alternatively, plastic may be used. Eachtine, one of which is tine 158, includes a proximal tine portion 170, atine body 172 and a distal tine end segment 160. In FIG. 14, tine body172 has been rotated in direction shown by arrow 171 in FIG. 13 suchthat tine body 172 is in a plane perpendicular to peripheral ring 156 ofnut insert 152. Further, the distal tine end 160 has been bent andangularly offset with respect to the generally planar tine body 172.

FIG. 15 shows a partial, cross-sectional, broken away axial end view ofnut 150 and nut insert 152. Nut insert 152 is placed in a recess 174 andis specifically disposed atop a shoulder 176 in recess 174. Recess 174is established below the nut end face 175. In the illustratedembodiment, nut insert 152 is formed with a complementary shape ascompared with recess 174. Since nut insert 152 is placed atop shoulder176, the nut insert 152 forms a radial free space there below withinwhich tine 158 moves. Distal end 160 rides atop bolt thread crest 180.The peripheral ring 156 of nut insert 152 is established about the crestof nut thread 182. Although three tines are shown in FIGS. 12 and 15,the nut insert may operate with a single tine. When distal tine end 166falls in notch 168 and abuts locking face 183, counter-rotationalmovement of the bolt with respect to a fixed nut in the direction shownby arrow 185 is prohibited. Rotational movement opposite to direction185 permits distal tine end 166 to move along opposing slope 185 ofnotch 168 and also to move atop bolt thread crest 180. When the distaltine end rides atop the bolt thread crest, the tine body and a portionof the distal tine end flex within the radial free space defined beneaththe peripheral ring 156 of nut insert 152. As shown with respect to tine158, tine body 172 generally falls within a substantially tangentialplane with respect to the axial centerline C of bolt 154.

FIG. 16 shows nut 190 having a plurality of keys 192 which are alignedwith keyways 194 on nut inserts 196. In this manner, the nut insert canbe aligned in a certain circumferential position with respect to the nut190. Of course, nut insert 196 could define the keys and the keywayscould be defined in the recess established in nut 190.

Alternatively, keyways 194 are simply cut-outs that permit the lockingnut insert to be swaged and “locked” into the nut end face. No keys onthe nut face are necessary. It is not necessary to orient the lockingnut insert on the nut. The nut end face material, during the swagingprocess fills the keyway 194 thereby locking the insert on the nut.

FIGS. 17 a and 17 b show various stages of manufacture of the nutinsert. In FIG. 17 a, nut insert 196 is flat cut or punched from a sheetof steel (preferably spring steel). Keyway or cut-out 194 is clearlyshown in FIG. 17 a. A plurality of tines, one of which is tine 197, areformed on a radially inward peripheral edge 198 of peripheral ring 199of the nut insert 196. In FIG. 17 a, these tine bodies 197 have beenrotated such that they depend beneath the plane established byperipheral ring 199. Accordingly, the distal tines ends, one of which isdistal tine end 193, extend generally tangentially and radially inwardtoward the axial centerline of the specially configured bolt. The tinesare circumferentially disposed around edge 198 of the planar peripheralring 199 of nut insert 196. Each tine 193 has a planar body which isgenerally tangentially disposed with respect to the axial centerline ofbolt 191.

FIG. 18 shows nut 201 having a nut insert 203 disposed in a recess belownut face 204. Nut insert 203 includes a peripheral ring 205 and aplurality of planar support plates, one of which is support plate 207associated with tine 209. Tine 209 rides atop bolt thread crest 211 forbolt 210. Bolt 210 may be similar to the bolt shown in FIG. 1 a, thatis, having a longitudinal locking channel, or may be similar to the boltshown in FIG. 2 a, that is, having a spiral locking channel.

FIGS. 19 and 20 are partial, cross-sectional views taken from theperspective of section line a′-a″ and b′-b″ in FIG. 18. FIG. 19 showsnut 201 having a nut face 204 and a recess 202 there below. Peripheralplate 205 of the nut insert is disposed on the first level of recess 202or on a shoulder 206. The recess 202 has a lower region 210. FIG. 20shows that tine 209 is spaced away from the peripheral walls defininglower recess area 210. In order to provide this radial free space,insert 205 utilizes planar support plates 207 for each tine. The freespace is the spacial flex zone.

FIG. 19 also shows that the outer peripheral planar section of nutinsert 205 has substantially the same radial dimension as the shoulder202 in recess 206. This permits the insert to be firmly seated in therecess.

FIGS. 21 and 22 show various manufacturing stages for nut insert 203. InFIG. 21, nut insert 203 is pressed, stamped or cut from a single sheetof metal or plastic. Tine segments 214 extend from planar support plate207. Tine 209 (FIG. 22) is formed when tine segment 214 is rotated inthe direction shown by arrow 215 such that tine body 216 is tangentiallydisposed with respect to the nut thread and bolt thread. Distal tine 209is then rotated in the direction shown by arrow 218 such that distaltine end 209 extends tangentially and radially inward toward the axialcenterline of the locking unit.

In this configuration, the distal tine ends flex radially inward whenthe distal tine end is disposed in one or more notches (see FIG. 18, andthe tine at 8 o'clock) and the distal tine ends move radially outwardinto the radial free space (FIG. 20, space 210) when the distal tine endrides on the bolt thread crest as shown with respect to distal tine end209 in FIG. 18.

FIG. 23 shows nut 220 carrying an elongated locking unit 221 formed as acylinder on nut end face 222. Elongated locking unit 221 has a rearwardring member 223 which is disposed in a nut recess (see FIG. 29). Theelongated locking unit 221 has a cylindrical body 225 with a pluralityof tines 226, 228 formed thereon. Each tine has a distal tine end 227and a proximal tine portion 229. Proximal tine portion 229 is adjacentcylindrical body 225 of elongated locking unit 221. Preferably, distaltine end 227 is formed by cutting out region 230 from cylindrical body225. A plurality of tines, in a preferred embodiment, arecircumferentially disposed about cylinder 225. Additionally, the tinesmay be axially disposed such that tine 228 is axially inboard withrespect to tine 232.

FIG. 24 shows bolt 231 having a bolt thread trough 233, a bolt threadcrest 234 and a plurality of notches, one of which is notch 235. Eachnotch includes a locking face 236 and an opposing slope 237.

FIGS. 25 a and 25 b show bolt segments 11 and 13 carrying a plurality ofnotches thereon. With respect to bolt segment 11 in FIG. 25 a, theplurality of notches are longitudinally aligned to form longitudinallocking channel 9. With respect to bolt segment 13 in FIG. 25 b, thenotches are aligned in a predetermined spiral pattern to form spirallocking channel 7.

FIG. 26 shows nut 220 threaded onto bolt 231. Locking unit 221 is lockedonto nut 220. Tine 247 is in a locked or engaged position with itsdistal tine end abutting a locking face in the locking channel. This isthe locking zone. In contrast, distal tine end 240 is riding atop theopposing slope in the flex zone. Tine 228 is riding atop bolt threadcrest 234.

FIG. 27 a shows an elongated locking unit 241 having a cylindrical body225 with circumferentially disposed distal tine ends 226, 232. FIG. 27 bshows locking unit 221 with distal tine ends 226, 228 and 232circumferentially disposed about cylinder 225 and axially disposed aboutcylinder 225. The locking mechanisms in FIGS. 27 a and 27 b aresometimes referred to herein as “railroad” designs.

FIG. 28 illustrates bolt 1 having a plurality of longitudinal lockingchannels 3 about to be threaded onto nut 220 carrying elongated lockingunit 221.

FIG. 29 shows elongated locking unit 221 having an axially rearward ring223 disposed in a recess 242 beneath end face 222. One method ofattaching rearward ring 223 in recess 242 is by swaging the nut face222. Otherwise, the ring may be snap fit into recess 242. The ring mayalso be inserted via a key and rotated to block or trap the key in akeyway. The key and keyway locking is not the preferred embodiment.

FIG. 30 a shows bolt 1 locking panels 4, 5 via nut 220 and locking unit221. The user can easily determine whether the tines 228, 232 havefallen into one of the locking channels 3 by viewing the position of thetine in the cut-out. For example, with reference to tine 228, cut-out230 enables the user to visually identify whether the tine has beenplaced in the locking channel.

Referring to FIG. 26, tines 228, 232 and 240 protrude both tangentiallyand radially toward the axial centerline of bolt 231. The placement oftines 232, 228 and 226 (FIG. 23) in respective cut-outs (for exampletine 228 in cut-out 230) enhances the visibility of the locking actionof each tine. As shown in FIG. 26, the rearward ring 223 of locking unit221 has a complementary key and keyway fit in region 246. As shown, therearward ring defines the keyway and the nut recess or nut end surface222 defines a complementary key. This key and keyway fit permits thecircumferential alignment of locking unit 221 with respect to a certainposition on nut 220. In the railroad design, liquid will not accumulatein the locking mechanism.

FIG. 30 b diagrammatically illustrates a top hat design or nut insert.Elongated locking unit 1170 is substantially similar to elongatedlocking unit 1171 shown in FIG. 30 c except that unit 1170 includes aseam 1172 whereas locking unit 1171 does not have a seam. Unit 1171 ismanufactured by poking a “bubble” in a thin metal sheet, breakingthrough the bubble, forming a tube, lancing the tube and then creatingaxially forward ring plate member 1173. In contrast, locking unit 1170is created from a flat strip of metal (or plastic) which is cut, folded,and wrapped on a mandrill to form barrel or the cylinder. Any materialwhich can be cut, folded and wrapped may be utilized. Seam 1172 is spotwelded or is left open such that the cylinder acts a spring. Bothlocking units 1170, 1171 include a cylinder 1174. The cylinder has acentral region 1175 shown in FIG. 30 d and carries at least one, andpreferably, a plurality of tines. The top hat design illustrated inFIGS. 30 b-30 e include four tines 1176, 1177, 1178 and 1179 carried bythe cylindrical lock body shown in FIG. 30 e. These tines protrudetangentially and radially towards axial centerline 1180 of rotating boltor body 1181. Axially centerline 1180 is shown in FIG. 30 f.

The top hat design is unique in that tines 1176-1179 are disposed in acentral region 1175 in cylinder 1174. This central disposition of thetines provides stability and extra strength since cylinder 1174 has alower peripheral axial ring section 1184 shown in FIG. 30 d and an upperring normal to radial top hat lip 1173. When locking unit 1170 is placedin a recess defined on the end face of a nut (see the recess in FIGS.11, 19 and 20 for example), the locking unit is swagged onto end face1182 of nut 1183 (FIG. 30 f) and the swagged portion of end face 1182“flows up” to lock into the V formed on axially forward radial ring1173. Other cut-outs are useful. See FIGS. 17 a, 18. V 1185 is shown onforward axial radial ring 1173 of locking unit 1170 in FIG. 30 b. V 1185is swagged into nut end face 1182.

Since there is no reason to circumferentially orient the top hat orlocking unit 1170, 1171, the top hat design is easier to assemble. It isonly necessary to orient the top hat design such that lower axial edge1184 (FIG. 30 d) is disposed near the nut end face such that the lockingnut insert drops into the recess on the nut face. Further, the presenttop hat or locking unit design 1170, 1171 is easily handled by automaticfeeding units. The lower circumferential ring 1184 prevents the nutinserts from locking together and also ensures that tines 1176-1179 arenot altered, deformed or otherwise harmed during the automatic feedingand insertion into the nut recess. If the tines become dented, thelocking ability of the system is adversely effected. It is important tonote that the automatic sorting and handling of these fasteners is animportant feature of the present invention.

FIGS. 30 g-30 i diagrammatically illustrate axial stacking of two tophat locking units 1190 and 1191. Locking units 1190 and 1191 are alignedsuch that V cutouts 1185 on each locking unit are axially aligned.Thereafter, the two top hat locking units are attached by adhesion, spotwelding or otherwise to form a composite unit 1193. The top ring of theassembled units is smaller in diameter to allow an installation tool toreach the area to be fastened. Composite unit 1193 is then inserted intonut 1194. Lower or axially inboard locking unit 1191 is placed in therecess on the end face 1182 of nut 1194. The upper locking unit oraxially outboard locking unit 1190 extends axially outboard from nutface 1182. Of course, the dual locking units 1190, 1991 are coaxial withaxially centerline 1195 of nut 1194. The dual top hat locking unit 1190,1191 provides multiple, circumferentially disposed tines therebyenhancing the locking capability of the system. This peripheral andaxial distribution of tines both axially and circumferentially isdescribed above in connection with the railroad design shown in FIG. 27b.

The top hat locking unit design (FIGS. 30 b, 30 c) are different fromprior art designs in that the present invention is a single part and nota multiple part piece. The prior art does not have a lowercircumferential ring 1184 (FIG. 30 d) and hence, is difficult to sort,automatically feed and assemble in a nut recess. These features areimportant in the present invention.

General comments regarding the axial end locking mechanism follow.

The invention relates to a cylinder extending axially from an end of anut wherein the cylinder carries locking elements thereon.

The invention also relates to a locking clip or insert with tinessupported in an axial manner (with respect to the axial centerline ofthe nut), and tines emanating from the axially disposed cylindrical bodythat pass through a spacial flex zone and engage grooves in a screw.

Since the locking mechanism is axially outboard from the nut, water orother liquid cannot pool in the locking mechanism. This reduces thepossibility of corrosion of the mechanism in adverse environments oroutdoors.

General comments regarding the “top hat” design follow.

A protective rim or peripheral wall axially above and below, alongsidethe tine (a) protects the integrity of the locking mechanism at allstages of manufacture including shipping, storage, handling andinstallation; (b) allows shipping of tine components in bulk, preventingentanglement prior to installation in the nut and allowing for highspeed installation in any swaging process; and (c) will shield any sharpedges of the tines when protruding from the locking mechanism. Thismakes the locking mechanism safer to handle and reduces the risk ofsomething catching on the locking mechanism including loose clothing.

General comments on the axial stacked embodiment follow.

In an axial stacked mode (two top hat designs stacked together), onelocking insert is keyed to the second insert. This provides a maximumamount of tine engagements equally separated for either maximumengagements with the lowest possible degrees between engagements (see,for example, the earlier example of 8 tines operating on 9 grooves orslots), or the maximum engagements with a specification for multiple orduplicate simultaneous tine engagements (e.g., 8 tines in 8 grooves).

FIG. 31 illustrates a perspective view of nut 250 having a lockingelement 252 disposed in a recess on nut face 251. The recess is similarto recess 242 in FIG. 29. Locking element 252 includes a rearward ringmember 254 and a plurality of axially protruding legs 255 extendingnormally therefrom. Each axially protruding leg includes a tine 256 thatprotrudes tangentially and radially inward toward the axial centerlineof the bolt. FIG. 32 shows an end view of nut 250 with locking element252 attached to the end face 251 of the nut. Tine 257 is in a lockedposition in a notch in bolt 258. In contrast, tine 259 is riding on topof bolt thread crest 261. Locking element 252 is keyed to a certainposition with respect to nut 250 based upon key and keyway combination262. As explained earlier, it is not critical whether locking elementcarries the key or keyway as long as the complementary key or keywayelement is formed on the appropriate portion of nut end face 251.Alternatively, the cut-outs or keyways on the locking element may belocked to the nut end face by swaging the radially extending lip of thelocking unit to the nut end face. In a swaged mode, nut end facematerial “flows” into to keyway to lock both units together. Thisswaged., locking feature is discussed earlier herein.

FIG. 33 a and FIG. 33 b show various stages of manufacture of lockingelement 252. In FIG. 33 a, locking element 252 is cut, stamped orpressed from a single sheet of steel or metal, preferably spring steel.Alternatively, plastic may be utilized. A tine segment 263 is formed bycutting, pressing or otherwise. In FIG. 33 b, tine segment 263 has beenrotated such that it is in a plane perpendicular to the plane ofrearward ring member 254. Tine segment 263 includes a proximal tineportion 265 and a distal tine end 267. A proximal tine portion 265 isgenerally perpendicular to radially inward edge 266 of ring member 254.The distal tine portion 267 protrudes tangentially and radially inwardtoward the axial centerline of the bolt. This centerline is coaxial tothe centerline of the nut.

FIG. 34 shows bolt 1 having a plurality of longitudinal locking channels3 and nut 250 carrying locking element 252. The axially protruding legsof the proximal tine portion 265 are clearly shown. These legs protrudenormally from the ring member of the nut insert. The distal tine portion267 is angled inward to catch one or more notches in the longitudinallocking channel 3. Of course, a spiral locking channel 7 shown on boltsegment 13 in FIG. 25 a may be utilized. A plurality of tines arecircumferentially spaced about locking element 252.

FIG. 35 a shows nut 250 carrying locking element 252 and locking ontobolt 1. The user can visibly confirm whether one or more of the distaltine ends 267 have locked into locking channel 3. Also, when the distaltine ends 267 ride atop bolt thread crest 2, this can be visiblyconfirmed by the user. Locking element 252 can be swaged onto nut face251 as shown in FIG. 29 or snapped into the recess

FIGS. 35 b-35 e diagrammatically illustrate various mechanisms to swageor attach or affix the axially disposed radially extending rim or lip ofvarious locking units or nut inserts. For example, rim 1173 in FIG. 30b; plate 156 in FIG. 13; plate 205 in FIGS. 18, 19; plate 223 in FIG.29; among others. FIG. 35 b diagrammatically shows nut 1202 havingprimary nut recess 1204 and radial wall or ledge 1206. In addition, nutend face 1208 includes an axial protrusion 1210. In FIG. 35 c, lockingunit or nut insert 1213 has been disposed in nut recess 1204. Lockingunit 1213 includes at an axial end, a radial plate 1215. In order tosecure locking unit 1213 in nut recess 1204, axial protrusion 1210 hasbeen flattened or deformed as shown as deformation 1211 to cover areasonable portion of radial end plate 1215. This mechanism effectivelylocks the locking unit 1213 or nut insert into nut recess 1204.

In FIGS. 35 d-35 e, radial ledge 1206 of nut 1202 includes a striationor slight radially aligned, axial protrusion or ridge 1216. When nutinsert 1213 is placed in nut recess 1204 and radial ring or plate 1215is placed thereon, upon deformation of axial ridge 1210 to formdeformation 1211, the bump or striation 1216 provides a sturdyanti-rotation lock between deformation 1211 and ridge 1216. Thisanti-rotation lock results in a similar deformation of radial ring 1215on nut insert 1213.

FIGS. 35 h-35 oo relate to fasteners, clips or nuts formed fromessentially sheet metal. Similar numerals designate similar items inthis group of figures. In the industry, these structures mayalternatively be called locking fasteners, locking nuts or lockingclips. Further, it should be noted that these locking fastenerstructures may be mounted on a clip leg established by a U, J orS-shaped clip. The fastener on a U-shaped clip is shown in FIG. 46 c.The fastener on a clip leg on a J-shaped clip is shown in FIG. 46 k.S-shaped clips are shown in FIGS. 37 and 38 a. Generally, U, J orS-shaped fastener designs are interchangeable, i.e., it does not matterwhether the fastener is mounted on a U, J or S-shaped clip body.

FIGS. 35 f-35 i ultimately form nut, clip or fastener 1220. FIG. 35 hdiagrammatically illustrates a side view of fastener 1220 and FIG. 35 idiagrammatically illustrates a prospective view of the fastener. In FIG.35 f, the fastener is shown at an early manufacturing stage whereinsheet metal plate 1222 has been partially extruded to form thread barrel1224 and cylindrical body 1225. The extrusion has been threaded. Tines1226 have been punched or tooled into a medial portion 1227 of cylinder1225. The dashed lines 1228 in FIG. 35 f identify hinge or bend regionsfor partially manufactured sheet plate 1222. Dashed lines 1228 in thisgroup of FIGS. 35 f-35 oo indicate bend lines.

To partially manufacture sheet metal plate 1222, a bubble is created toform thread barrel 1224. The bubble is then lanced or cutoff to formaxial edge 1223. In a similar manner, a bubble is formed on plate 1222in order to form locking cylindrical body 1225. That bubble is cut orlanced to form edge 1229. Thereafter, cylinder 1225 is put on a mandrelor other properly shaped tool or dye and a radial stamp tool is radiallyinserted at medial region 1227 to form tine 1226.

As shown in FIG. 35 g, thread barrel 1224 and cylindrical body 1225extend above sheet plate 1222. Tines 1226 extend tangentially andradially inward towards the axial centerline.

In order to form fastener 1220 shown in FIGS. 35 h and 35 i, platesection 1330 is bent at bend planes 1228 shown in dashed lines in FIG.35 g. Intermediate section 1331 becomes a side wall for fastener 1220.Cylindrical locking body 1225 carried by plate section 1332 is axiallydisposed, in a coaxial manner along axial centerline 1335. The axialcenterline of threaded barrel 1224 and the axial centerline ofcylindrical locking unit 1225 is coaxial. Plate section 1333 is bent toform another side of fastener 1220. The completed product is shown inperspective in FIG. 35 i wherein tines 1226 extend radially andtangentially towards the axial centerline 1335 and threads 1221 arevisible on thread barrel portion 1224.

Although sheet metal is currently used to make these fasteners, othercomposite materials or plastic may be used.

FIGS. 35 j and 35 k show an initial manufactured phase and a finalmanufactured phase for fastener 1340. Partially manufactured sheet plate1342 in FIG. 35 j has an extruded threaded barrel 1344 and an extrudedlocking cylinder 1346. A plurality of tines 1348 extends radially andtangentially in the axial centerline 1350 of locking cylinder 1346.Partially manufactured sheet plate 1342 is bent as shown in FIG. 35 j.Additionally, nut or fastener end plate 1352 has extending therefromface plates 1354, 1355, 1356 and 1357. Prior to or subsequent to axiallyalignment of axial centerline 1350 and axial centerline 1354 (related tothreaded barrel 1344), side faces 1354-1357 are bent to enclose fastener1340. Plate sections 1331 and 1333 enclose the other sides of fastener1340. The completed fastener is shown in FIG. 35 k. Plate sections 1331,1333 protect the tines from damage during shipping etc., and provideaxial stability and support for the clip fastener.

With respect to FIGS. 35 l-35 q, similar numerals designate similaritems. Only significant differences in the structures will be discussedherein. FIGS. 35 l-35 o diagrammatically illustrate the partiallymanufactured and finished version of fastener 1370. In FIG. 35 l,extruded threaded bore 1372 has been partially cut to form cutout 1374.Before or after establishing cutout 1374, cylinder 1372 is threaded.Partially manufactured plate 1373 is bent at lines 1228 such that axialcenterline 1345 of threaded bore 1372 is coaxial with axial centerline1350 of locking cylinder 1346. Further, tines 1348 are disposed incutouts 1374. This is shown in perspective in FIG. 35 o. As a result,fastener 1370 has a compact shape and threaded bore 1372 carries agreater number of threads thereby enhancing the fastening capability offastener 1370.

In FIGS. 35 p and 35 q, the same concept is carried forward. Partiallymanufactured sheet plate 1380 has a threaded bore 1372 with cutouts1374. The cutouts accommodate tines 1348. In a final manufactured stage,fastener 1385 includes one or more tines 1348 which are disposed incutouts 1374 in threaded bore 1372. The side plates protect the tinesand add axial stability to the locking system.

FIGS. 35 r-35 u diagrammatically illustrate partial and finalmanufactured versions of fastener 1390. In FIG. 35 r threaded bore 1372includes a cutout 1374. However, rather than a cylindrical locking bodyas shown in FIG. 35 o, a rectangular locking body 1391 carries at leastone, and a preferably a plurality of tines 1348. In FIG. 35 s, tine 1348includes tine body 1392 and distal tine end 1393. Tine body 1392 isrotated with respect to the sheet plate along the dashed bend line anddistal tine end section 1393 is bent along the dashed bend line. Distaltine end 1393 is positioned in cutout 1374 when the axial centerline1345 of threaded barrel 1372 is coaxial with axial centerline 1350 ofrectangular locking body 1391.

With respect to FIGS. 35 v and 35 w, those figures diagrammaticallyillustrate fastener 1395. Similar numerals designate similar items inFIGS. 35 r-35 w. Fastener 1395 includes tine 1393 mounted on rectangularlocking body or structure 1391. In its fully manufactured state shown inFIG. 35 w, tine 1393 is disposed in cutout 1374 of threaded barrel 1372.

FIGS. 35 x-35 aa diagrammatically illustrate fastener 1401 having asingle thread 1403 on plate section 1404. Single thread 1403 in FIG. 35y has a center point 1405. When the axial centerline 1350 of lockingcylinder 1346 is place coaxial with respect to center point 1405 ofsingle thread 1403, the finished fastener 1401 is created as shown inFIG. 35 aa. FIG. 35 z shows that single thread 1403 rises above theplanar plate surface 1406. This enables the single thread to travel onthe inclined plane of the threaded bolt operating on fastener 1401.

FIGS. 35 bb and 35 cc show a partial manufactured view and a finalmanufactured view of fastener 1410. When center point 1405 is madecoaxial with respect to axial centerline 1350 of cylindrical lockingcylinder 1346, tines 1378 protrude radially and tangentially into theaxial centerline of fastener 1410. The operation of single thread 1403is discussed in greater detail later in connection with FIGS. 47-50,among others.

FIGS. 35 dd-35 gg diagrammatically illustrate partial manufactured viewsand final manufactured views of fastener 1420. Fastener 1420 includes asingle thread 1403 and a rectangular locking body or structure 1391carrying at least one and preferably a plurality of tines 1393. Tines1393 are distal end sections protruding from tine body 1348 andparticular main tine body 1392. When center point 1405 of single thread1403 is made coaxial with respect to axial centerline 1350, tines 1393protrude radially and tangentially into the axial centerline of theentire fastener 1420.

FIGS. 35 hh and 35 ii also utilize a single thread 1430 and arectangular tine carrying structure 1391 which supports a plurality oftine 1348. Particularly, distal tine end section 1393 projectstangentially and radially inwards towards the axial centerline of theentire fastener 1425. As discussed earlier, the channeled bolt moveslongitudinally along the axial centerline.

FIGS. 35 jj-35 mm diagrammatically illustrate various stages ofmanufacture and the final version of fastener 1430. Fastener 1430includes a single thread 1403 which cooperates with the bolt thread.Plate sections 1331 and 1333 are stamped out and tines 1431, 1432 areformed in those plate sections. Plate section 1332 includes a throughbore or hole 1436. Bore 1436 includes a center point 1437. When centerpoint 1405 of single thread 1403 is coaxial with center point 1437 ofbore 1436, the fastener 1430 has an axial centerline of 1435. Tines 1431and 1432 extend tangentially and radially towards axial centerline 1435of fastener 1430. The channeled bolt travels along the axial centerlineof the fastener.

Fastener 1440 is diagrammatically illustrated in FIGS. 35 nn and 35 oo.In FIG. 35 nn, plate section 1442 includes a through bore 1436. Bore1436 includes a center point 1437. Further, side panels 1354 and 1356have been punched out, stamped or tooled to create tines 1442, 1444.When fastener 1440 is bent along bend plane lines 1228 (perforatedlines) and side faces 1354, 1355, 1356 and 1357 are placed perpendicularto end plate 1352, tines 1442, 1444 protrude radially and tangentiallythrough and towards the axial centerline of fastener 1440. The axialcenterline of fastener 1440 passes through center point 1405 of singlethread 1403 and center point 1437 of through bore 1436.

FIGS. 35 pp-35 ss diagrammatically illustrate a locking drawn barrel1500. Locking drawn barrel 1500 in FIG. 35 qq includes an axiallyinboard radial lip 1502. In contrast, the thread carrying cylinder 1504for locking barrel 1500 in FIG. 35 pp does not include an axiallyinboard, radial lip. Both drawn barrels include a cylindrical lockingstructure 1506 from which tangentially and radially extends tine 1510. Aplurality of tines may be utilized to increase the clamping factor ofthe fastener system.

FIG. 35 rr shows locking barrel 1500 mounted in a recess in nut 1511.Tines 1510 are shown extending tangentially and radially toward theaxial centerline of the composite locking barrel 1500 and nut 1511. Theterm “composite” refers to the insert and nut combination. Threads 1512are disposed axially inboard on thread barrel 1504.

FIG. 35 ss shows thread barrel cylinder 1504, locking cylindricalstructure 1506 and tine 1510.

Lip 1502 in FIG. 35 qq helps lock the extrusion into a plastic orcomposite nut body. This locking feature is an important feature of thepresent design because the locking drawn barrel 1500 can be massassembled. Further, this feature may enable a composite nut/lockingstructure to be cheaply manufactured while maintaining the strength ofthe locking structure in the nut insert and the lightness of the systemby using a plastic nut body. Hence, the term “composite” is appropriatefor a plastic nut and a metal nut insert as described in FIGS. 35 pp-35ss.

FIGS. 35 tt-35 xx diagrammatically illustrate a double reverse extrusion(FIG. 35 tt) which can be further utilized as a pipe lock (FIGS. 35tt-35 xx). The locking nut or fastener may be utilized in conjunctionwith a threaded pipe or rod in order to provide a locking mechanism forthe pipe or rod. If the outside of a flanged female pipe (or possibly astandard female pipe) is threaded, the lock of the present invention canbe threaded onto the pipe and the locking engagements may drop intoaxial grooves on the outside of the male end of the pipe. Threads maynot be necessary under the grooves on the male side of the pipe.

FIG. 35 tt shows a cylindrical body 1520 carrying, in an internalregion, a threaded bore 1522. Threaded bore 1522 includes a cutout 1524through which protrudes a tine 1526. The tine may be supported by afurther internal body in body 1520.

FIG. 35 uu shows a diagrammatic, cross-sectional view of cylindricalstructure 1520. Structure 1520 has an open end 1530 into which pipe 1531is inserted. Pipe 1531 includes threads 1533 and axial grooves 1535.Threads 1533 are complementary to female threads 1532 disposed on theinterior of cylindrical structure 1520. Threaded bore 1532 has a cutout1524 and a tine 1526 extends there through. If cylindrical structure1520 were truncated at face 1540, the structure would define a smallercylindrical structure and operate to lock on to and cap pipe 1531. Ofcourse, rather than utilizing a pipe 1531 any type of cylindrical itemor rod carrying threads 1533 and axial grooves 1531 could be locked ontocylindrical structure 1520.

In the absence of a truncation at face 1540, the locking joint shown inFIG. 35 uu includes a second set of female threads 1542 which iscomplimentary to male threads 1544 on pipe 1546. Further, pipe end 1548includes internal female threads 1550. Internal female threads 1550enable male threads 1533 on pipe 1531 to be fully inserted and ride notonly on female threads 1532 of cylindrical unit 1520 but also on pipe1546.

The structure illustrated in FIG. 35 uu enables the user to lock on thecylindrical unit 1520 while being able to disassemble or withdraw pipe1546 from lock unit 1520.

Similar numerals designate similar items and are carried forward intoFIGS. 35 ww, 35 vv and 35 xx.

FIG. 35 ww diagrammatically illustrates pipe lock or coupler 1560. FIG.35 vv diagrammatically illustrates the outside appearance of pipe lock1560. Pipe lock 1560 includes, on its left hand side, a similar pipelock as described above in connection with FIG. 35 uu. On the right handside, pipe lock 1560 includes female threads 1542 which arecomplimentary to male threads 1544 on pipe 1562. Pipe 1562 includesaxial grooves or cutouts 1564. Pipe 1562 also may include internalfemale threads 1550 in a manner similar to the pipe lock shown in FIG.35 uu. Further, pipe lock 1560 includes a larger diameter section 1566.The internal wall 1568 of larger diameter section 1566 includes a cutout1570. A tine 1572 extends through the cutout and coacts with axialgrooves 1564 of pipe 1562. Accordingly, the user may lock pipe 1531 onthe left hand side of coupler 1560. The user may subsequently lock pipe1562 on the right hand side of pipe lock 1560.

FIG. 35 xx shows a modified pipe lock 1580 disposed at a terminal end ofpipe 1582. Female threads 1532 have been moved axially inboard away fromtine 1526. Accordingly, male threads 1533 of pipe 1531 can be mounted onfemale threaded coupling 1532. Accordingly, tine 1526 pops into and outof the grooves 1535 on pipe 1531 thereby locking the pipe onto theterminal end of pipe 1582.

FIG. 36 diagrammatically illustrates an S-shaped locking nut and boltassembly 270. All illustrations of the clips are expanded to better showthe critical features of the invention. The S-shaped member includeslegs 271, 272 and 273. It is important to remember that leg 271 may betruncated at any location above line 274 thereby eliminating the legportion toward terminal end 275. As used herein, “S-shaped” refers tothe S-shape shown in FIG. 36 or a truncated S-shape which eliminates allor a portion of the segment from line 274 to terminal end 275 of leg271.

Leg 272 includes a nut formed as cylindrical unit 276. On leg 273, anelongated locking unit 277 is formed. In view of the length of leg 271,that leg also has a bore 278. The axial centerline through bore 278 andnut 276 and cylindrical locking unit 277 is coaxial. As shown in FIG.37, panel 280 includes a panel bore 282. The panel bore is coaxial withclip leg bore 278, nut 276 and cylindrical locking unit 277. A boltsimilar to that described above in connection with FIGS. 25 a and 25 bis inserted through bore 278, 282 and threaded through nut 276 andultimately locking onto cylindrical locking unit 277.

Cylindrical locking unit 277 includes at least one, and in theillustrated embodiment, a plurality of tines, one of which is tine 282.In a preferred embodiment, tine 282 is established by cutting out aregion 283 from the cylindrical locking unit 277. As discussed earlier,tine 282 has a distal tine end which tangentially and radially protrudesinward toward the cylindrical axis of the specially configured bolt.When the tine end abuts a locking face (for example, locking face 236 inFIG. 24 for bolt 231), the tine and the locking face preventcounter-rotational movement of the bolt with respect to the locking nutand bolt clip assembly 270. Otherwise, when the bolt is moved in arotational manner, the distal tine end rides on opposing slope 237 andbolt thread crest 234 and further rotational movement is permitted.

Cylindrical locking unit 277 has a cylindrical axis perpendicular to theplane of leg 273. As shown with respect to FIG. 42, cylindrical lockingunit 277 maybe disposed on intermediate leg 272 and nut 276 may bedisposed on laterally distant leg 273.

FIG. 37 shows that bored panel 280 is placed between clip leg 271 andclip leg 272 of S-shaped clip 270 such that bore 278 is coaxial withpanel bore 282 and the nut thread 285 of nut 276. Cylindrical lockingunit 277 is also coaxial with this bolt passageway. The locking actionof tine 282 is visibly confirmed since tine 282 is disposed in cut-out283.

FIG. 38 a shows an S-shaped locking nut and bolt clip assembly having anS-shaped clip 290 and clip legs 291, 292 and 293. Clip leg 291 includesbore 294 since the terminal end 295 of that leg extends above nut thread296 of nut 297. S-shaped clip 290 is adapted to be slid or placed, asshown by arrow 298, onto panel 299. Panel 299 includes bore 301. Bore301 is placed coaxially with respect to bore 294 and nut thread 296 ofnut 297.

A locking element is configured or formed on leg 293. This lockingelement includes a plurality of perpendicular panels 303, 304, 305 and306. These panels are perpendicular to the generally planar surface ofclip leg 293. More importantly, these panels 303, 304, 305 and 306define axially protruding legs which are perpendicular to clip leg 293and, more importantly, are tangentially disposed with respect to anaxial centerline passing through bore 294 and nut 297. As such, thelocking element forms a locking element bore 307 through which protrudesthe specially configured bolt. See FIGS. 25 a, 25 b. Each axiallyprotruding leg 303, 304, 305 and 306 also includes a respective tine310, 311, 312 and 314. These tines protrude tangentially and radiallytoward the axial centerline defined by bore 294, nut thread 296 andlocking element bore 307. As discussed in detail earlier, each tine hasa distal tine end adapted to latch onto a lock face of one or morenotches in a specially configured bolt. See bolt segment 11, 13 in FIGS.25 a, 25 b, and particularly longitudinal locking channel 9 and spirallocking channel 7. Each tine also includes a proximal tine portionattached to the corresponding axially protruding leg 303, 304, 305 and306. When the specially configured bolt is inserted through bore 294,bore 282 in panel 280 (FIG. 37), and threaded onto nut thread 296 of nut297, and further when the locking channels pass tines 310, 311, 312 and314, the position of each distal tine end is visible to the user. Thisvisibility is provided not only by the cut-outs defined adjacent eachtine 310, 311, 312 and 314 but also because of the tangentialorientation of the small axially protruding leg segments 303, 304, 305and 306.

FIG. 38 b shows a manufacturing stage for the locking element formed bythe plurality of axially protruding legs 303, 304, 305 and 306 in FIG.38 a. In FIG. 38 b, clip leg segment 293 is generally planar and lockingleg segments 303′, 304′, 305′ and 306′ have been formed by stamping,cutting or otherwise forming leg segments on clip leg segment 293. Eachaxially protruding leg segment clearly defines the distal tine end andproximal tine portion. For example, with respect to locking leg segment303′, distal tine end 310′ is identified. Proximal tine portion 316 isimmediately adjacent protruding leg segment 303′. Accordingly, in orderto form axially protruding legs 303, 304, 305 and 306 as shown in FIG.38 a, leg segments 303′, 304′, 305′ and 306′ are rotated out of theplane formed by clip leg segment 293. Thereafter, the distal tineportions 310, 311, 312 and 314 are pressed radially inward toward theaxial centerline running through bore 294 and nut thread 296.

FIG. 39 diagrammatically illustrates that S-shaped clip 270 can beutilized in conjunction with bolt 14 carrying longitudinal lockingchannel 9 on bolt thread segment 111 or bolt 15, carrying spiral lockingchannel 7 on bolt thread segment 13. Either one of these speciallyconfigured bolts can be threaded through bore 278 after S-shaped clip270 is placed onto panel 280 such that bore 278 is coaxial with panelbore 282. Bolts 14, 15 threaded through bores 278, 282 and threaded ontonut 276 ultimately engage cylindrical locking unit 277. Distal tine ends282 visibly engage locking channels 7, 9 due to the tine's position incut-out 283. Also, the axially extending nature of the locking unitenhances visibility.

FIG. 40 diagrammatically shows S-shaped clip 320 having clip legs 321,322 and 323. Clip leg 321 defines bore 324. Clip leg 322 carries nut 325having nut thread 326 thereon. Clip leg 323 carries a locking elementformed of a plurality of axially protruding legs 327, 328, 329 and 330.Each axially protruding leg includes a distal tine end 331, 332, 333 and334. Additionally, the locking element establishes a locking elementbore 335. These tines are not cut-out from the locking element legs butare simply angularly offset with respect to the legs. It should be notedthat clip legs 321, 322, 323 maybe bent inward towards nut thread 326rather than outboard away from the thread. This will protect theintegrity of the tines, i.e., limit damage during shipping andinstallation. Also, the terminal end of clip leg 323 may include adepending spacer leg as shown in FIG. 43, leg 362.

FIGS. 41 a and 41 b show various manufacturing stages for the lockingelement. Clip leg segment 323 in FIG. 41 a shows that protruding legsegments 327′, 328′, 329′ and 330′ are stamped or cut from a generallyplanar sheet of metal or plastic. Each protruding leg segment clearlydefines a distal tine end, for example distal tine end 331 for leg 327′is identified in FIG. 41 a. Further, leg segment 327′ also establishesproximal tine portion 340. In order to form the locking element shown inFIG. 40, protruding leg segments 327′, 328′, 329′ and 330′ are rotatedout of the plane formed by clip leg segment 323. FIG. 41 b shows a frontview of clip leg segment 323. Axially protruding legs 327, 328, 329 and330 are normal to the plane established by clip leg segment 323. Distaltine ends 331, 332, 333 and 334 protrude tangentially and radiallyinward toward the axially centerline C in locking element bore 335.

FIG. 42 diagrammatically illustrates S-shaped clip 350 having clip legs351, 352 and 353. As shown in FIG. 43, S-shaped clip 350 is placed onbored panel 354 as shown by arrow 355. Clip leg 351 includes a bore 356.Clip leg 352 includes a cylindrical locking unit 357. Cylindricallocking unit 357 has a plurality of circumferentially spaced aparttines, one of which is distal tine end 358. Alternatively, cylindricallocking unit 357 may include only a single tine. Distal tine end 358 hasa proximal tine portion 359 adjacent cylindrical body 360 of cylindricallocking unit 357. Clip leg 353 includes nut 360 having nut threads 361thereat. Nut 360 is coaxial with cylindrical locking unit 357 and bore356.

As shown in FIG. 43, clip leg 353 includes depending spacer leg 362.FIG. 43 also shows that distal tine end 358 is visible during lockingand unlocking due to cut-out 364. Basically, the distal tine end 358moves into and out of one or more notches forming longitudinal lockingchannel (FIG. 25 a) or spiral locking channel 7 (FIG. 25 b). Thedepending spacer leg 362 ensures that when the bolt segment 11, 13(FIGS. 25 a, 25 b) are threaded onto thread 361, nut 360 maintains itscoaxial position with respect to the axial centerline of the bolt. Inother words, when the bolt pulls clip legs 351, 352 and 353 together,the coaxial nature of nut 360 with respect to the axial centerline ofthe bolt is maintained due to depending spacing leg 362.

FIG. 44 diagrammatically illustrates S-shaped clip 370 having clip legs371, 372, 373 and a fourth clip leg 374. Clip leg 371 includes bore 375.Clip leg 372 includes a nut 376 having a nut thread 377. Clip leg 373includes a locking element formed of a plurality of axially protrudinglegs, two of which are axially protruding legs 378, 379. Each axiallyprotruding leg includes a distal tine end 380 and 381 which extendstangentially and radially inward toward the axial centerline formed bybore 375, nut thread 377 and nut 376 and the locking element bore 382.In the illustrated embodiment, another pair of opposing axiallyprotruding legs is formed on clip leg 373. Clip leg 374 includes asupplemental bore 384. Supplemental leg 374 includes a depending spacerleg 385.

FIGS. 45 a and 45 b illustrate various manufacturing stages for theaxially protruding legs. Clip leg segment 373 is stamped or pressed orcut to form a number of locking leg segments, one of which is segment379′. Leg segment 379′ includes a distal tine end 381 and a proximaltine portion 386. Proximal tine portion 386 is adjacent clip leg segment373. In FIG. 45 b, protruding leg segment 379′ (FIG. 45 a) is rotatedout of the plane formed by clip leg segment 373 to form axiallyprotruding leg 379. In order to form the distal tine end 381, the tineend is pressed radially inward toward centerline C of locking elementbore 392.

FIG. 46 a diagrammatically illustrates a side view of S-shaped clip 370being placed on bored panel 390 in the direction shown by arrow 391.FIG. 46 a also shows that bore 375 in clip leg 371 is coaxial with nut376 on clip leg 372 and the locking element formed by axially protrudinglegs 379 and distal tine end 381. Bore 384 on leg 374 is also coaxialwith bore 375 on leg 371. Depending leg 385 spaces supplemental leg 374away from locking element formed by axially protruding legs 379. In thisconfiguration, supplemental clip leg 374 and depending spacing leg 385protect the axially protruding nature of legs 379 and 378. Supplementalclip leg 374 also protects the radially protruding nature of distal tineends 381.

FIGS. 46 b-46 j diagrammatically illustrate another embodiment offastener clips or fastener nuts. FIG. 46 b shows partially manufacturedplate 1600 having plate segments 1601, 1602, 1603 and 1604. Thesevarious plate segments are bent along bend lines 1605 as shown by arrow1606. Plate section 1602 includes axially extending structures 1610 and1612. These structures carry tines 1611. Plate section 1604 carries athreaded barrel 1615. Threaded barrel 1615 has a cutout 1616. The barrelis extruded or is otherwise formed on the plate. Thereafter thecylindrical shaped body is threaded.

FIG. 46 c shows a U-clip 1620. It should be noted that when the axialcenterline 1613 of tine carrying structures 1610, 1612 is made coaxialwith the axially centerline 1614 of threaded barrel 1615 (by bending andforming the structure), a single nut or fastener is created. Further,the fastener made in accordance with FIG. 46 b may include a U-clip,J-clip or an S-shaped clip attached to end 1619. Hence, the fastener maybe a stand alone unit or may be part of a U, J or S-shaped clip system.

FIG. 46 c shows the rolled up fastener or nut. Similar numeralsdesignate similar items in FIGS. 46 b-46 j. Of course, clip leg 1621includes a through bore at region 1623 in order to permit the speciallyconfigured bolt or pipe or other rod-like structure to pass through andto activate the locking mechanism created by tines 1611.

FIGS. 46 f-46 g diagrammatically illustrate another type of nut orfastener 1650. In FIG. 46 f, fastener 1650 stands alone. In FIG. 46 g,fastener 1650 is attached to a U-shaped clip 1651. Of course, U-clip1651 may be a J-shaped clip or may be a S-shaped clip.

In FIG. 46 d, clip 1650 is created by utilizing a sheet metal platehaving sections 1652, 1653, 1654, 1655 and 1656. Bend planes 1605 areshown in FIGS. 46 d and 46 e. Axial stability is enhanced by the axial“stacking” of these structures.

A threaded bore 1660 is extruded from section 1653. A cylindricallocking structure 1662 is extruded from sections 1655 and 1656. Tines1664 are stamped or cut from cylindrical locking cylinders 1662, 1663.The plate is bent such that axial centerline 1665 of threaded bore 1660is coaxial with the axial centerline 1666 of cylindrical lockingstructure 1662. Further, the axial centerline 1667 of cylindricallocking structure 1663 is also made coaxial with the other axial centerlines 1665 and 1666. The resulting structure for fastener or nut 1650 isillustrated in FIG. 46 f.

FIG. 46 g shows that fastener 1650 can be mounted on U, J or S-shapedclips. In FIG. 46 g, U-shaped clip 1651 is utilized.

Fastener 1650 in FIG. 46 f is partially protected by depending end wall1652 and the opposing joining wall 1654. Wall 1652 provides additionalaxial support. Further, multiple cylindrical (or rectangular) structuresmay be added to additional plate sections. Rectangular tine supportingstructures are discussed above in connection with FIGS. 35 dd-35 ii,among others.

FIGS. 46 h-46 j diagrammatically illustrate additional lockingfasteners. In FIG. 46 h, the metal plate is divided into section 1701,1702 and 1703. Bend planes 1605 are shown in dashed lines. The fasteneris created by rotating plate 1701 in the direction shown by arrow 1705such that axial centerline 1706 is coaxial with axial centerline 1707.

The fastener includes a cylindrical tine carrying support 1710 and athreaded barrel 1712 at an axial end of the cylindrical support 1710.Support 1710 has one or more tines 1711 stamped, tooled or created inits cylindrical wall. Plate section 1703 includes an extruded guidecylinder 1714.

As shown in FIG. 46 i, guide cylinder 1714 captures threaded barrel 1712in its interior. Cylindrical locking structure 1710 provides support forlocking tine 1711. Of course, a single fastener may be created bytruncating J-shaped clip 1720 at point shown by arrow 1721. The axialcapture of the thread barrel greatly enhances stability and clampingforces.

FIG. 46 j diagrammatically illustrates a U-shaped clip 1730 carrying afastener 1732 at one end thereof. Clip leg 1733 will include a throughbore at region 1734. Clip leg 1735 will include a similar through borecoaxial with through bore 1734. Fastener 1732 includes a cylindrical ora rectangular tine carrying structure 1740 and an threaded bore 1742adjacent thereto. Tines 1744 provide locking for fastener structure1732.

FIG. 47 diagrammatically illustrates a U-shaped clip 400 which isadapted to be placed onto a bored panel 401 as shown by arrow 402. Panel401 includes a bore 403 there through. U-shaped clip 400 includes clipleg 404 and clip leg 405. Clip leg 404 has a single thread nut 406thereon. The single thread nut 406 has an arc less than 360°. In theillustrated embodiment, the arc of single thread nut is approximately350°. The single thread nut, shown in a partial, broken away view inFIG. 48, is formed by cutting or stamping a strip 407 from clip leg 404.Strip 407 remains attached to clip leg 404 via region 410.

A locking element is formed on clip leg 405. See FIG. 47. The lockingelement includes a plurality of axially protruding legs 412, 413, 414and 415. Each axially protruding leg includes a corresponding tine 416,417, 418 and 419. The distal tine ends 416, 417, 418 and 419 protrudetangentially and radially inward toward the axial centerline C oflocking element bore 420. Axial centerline C is coaxial with the axialcenterline through single thread nut 106. This axial centerline is alsonormal or perpendicular to planar clip legs 404 and 405. As explainedearlier in connection with FIGS. 40 and 44, the distal tine ends 416,417, 418 and 419 latch onto the lock face 36 FIG. 1 b) of either alongitudinal locking channel 9 in bolt segment 11 (FIG. 25 a) or aspiral locking channel for bolt segment 13 (FIG. 25 b). When the distaltine ends abut lock face 36 (FIG. 1 b) counter-rotational movement isprohibited. Otherwise, during rotational movement, the distal tine ends416, 417, 418 and 419 ride on opposing slope 38 and bolt thread crest30.

FIG. 50 shows bolts 14, 15 carrying longitudinal locking channel 9 andspiral locking channel 7, respectively, adapted to be fed into singlethread nut 406 on clip leg 404. Clip leg 405 is truncated since thatclip leg may carry a cylindrical locking unit (FIG. 49) or a lockingelement with axially protruding legs.

FIG. 49 diagrammatically illustrates a U-shaped clip 420 having clip leg404 and a second clip leg 421. A single thread nut 406 having an arcless than 360° is formed on clip leg 404. On clip leg 421, a cylindricallocking unit 422 is formed. Cylindrical locking unit 422 includes aplurality of tines extending tangentially and radially inward toward thecylindrical axis of cylindrical locking unit 422 which is coaxial to theaxis of single thread nut 406. Cylindrical locking unit 422 may utilizea single tine 423 having a proximal tine portion 424 extending fromcylinder 425. Distal tine end 423 is cut-out from cut-out 426 ofcylinder 425. Accordingly, the user can easily identify whether distaltine end 423 has fallen into spiral locking channel 7 (FIG. 50) orlongitudinal locking channel 9 (FIG. 50). In a like manner, distal tineends 416, 417, 418 and 419 (FIG. 47) can be viewed by an observer inorder to determine whether the distal tine ends have fallen into spirallocking channel 7 (FIG. 50) or longitudinal locking channel 9 (FIG. 50).

FIG. 51 diagrammatically illustrates U-shaped clip 430 having a clip leg431 and clip leg 432. A bore 433 is defined at an upper region 434 ofclip leg 431. If upper region 434 is eliminated or truncated, a J-shapedclip is provided. See FIG. 55.

Clip leg 432 also defines a single thread nut 436. Single thread nut hasan arc less than 3600 and the axial centerline of single thread nut 436is coaxial with bore 433. A locking element 438 is defined on nut bore437. Locking element 438 includes an axially protruding leg 439 and atine 440 protruding tangentially and radially inward toward the axialcenterline of nut bore 437 which is coaxial with bore 433. In theillustrated embodiment, the single thread nut 436 defines an arc ofabout 225°. Leg 439 is disposed beyond the arc of the nut thread.

FIGS. 52 a and 52 b diagrammatically illustrate U-shaped clip 430 andJ-shaped clip 450. FIG. 52 a shows U-shaped clip 430 with the axialextending leg 439 of locking element 438 directed radially inward.Axially extending leg 439 is perpendicular to the plane of clip leg 432.Tine 440 protrudes tangentially and radially inward toward the axialcenterline generally located at imaginary line 441. A panel 442 having abore 443 is used in connection with U-shaped clip 430. Clip 430 isplaced on panel 442 as shown by arrow 444. In operation, U-shaped clip430 is placed on bored panel 442 such that the axial centerline 441 forthe apertures in clip 430 is coaxial with bore 443. Thereafter, one ofthe specially configured bolts shown in FIGS. 53 a and 53 b can beinserted along axial centerline 441. Bolt 14 has a longitudinal lockingchannel 9 along bolt thread segment 11. Bolt 15 includes spiral lockingchannel 7 along bolt thread segment 13. When tine 440 falls in one ormore of the notches in bolt segments 11, 13, the distal end of the tine,when it abuts the locking face of the notch (see lock face 36 in FIG. 1b), prevents counter-rotational movement. Otherwise during rotationalmovement, the distal tine end moves on opposing slope 38 (FIG. 1 b) andrides atop bolt thread crest 30.

FIG. 52 b diagrammatically illustrates a J-shaped clip 450 which isplaced on panel 451 as shown by arrow 452. Panel 451 includes bore 453.Bore 453, when clip 450 is place thereon is coaxial with the axialcenterline 454 of the locking element nut bore.

FIG. 55 diagrammatically illustrates J-shaped clip 450 having a firstleg 455 and a second clip leg 456. A single thread nut 457 is defined onclip leg 456. The single thread nut 457 includes an arc less than 360°and, in the illustrated embodiment, an arc spanning approximately 225°.The single thread nut also is utilized in cooperation with a lockingelement 458. Locking element 458 includes an axial protruding leg 459and a distal tine end 460. Axially protruding leg 459 is bestillustrated in FIG. 52 b. Leg 459 is perpendicular to clip leg 456.Distal tine end 460 extends tangentially and radially inward towardaxial centerline 454 of the nut bore. Locking element bore 461 is shownin FIG. 55. The locking element is formed at a radially inward edge ofthe locking element bore. The locking element bore in this embodiment isidentical to the nut bore.

It should be noted that although panels 442, 451 in the figures areshown as being made of insulated material, those panels may be wood,plastic, metal or any other type of composite panel. Also, when usedherein, the term U-shaped clip also includes the J-shaped clipconstruction. A J-shaped clip is simply a U-shaped clip with a certainportion of a terminal end of a clip leg truncated. For example, U-shapedclip 430 FIG. 51 can be converted into a J-shaped clip simply bytruncating segment 434.

As in FIG. 55, locking element 458 is formed on nut bore 461 at a pointbeyond the arc of the single thread nut 457.

FIGS. 54 a and 54 b illustrate various stages of manufacture for thelocking element. Clip leg segment 456 includes a locking element segment458′. Locking element segment 458′ shows a distal clip end segment 460′,a leg segment 459′ and a proximal tine segment 463. In order to furtherrelieve stress, clip leg 456 may include a stress cut or slice at a 45degree angle on the right side of proximal tine segment 463. Also,rather than the “squared” cut defining the right side of segment 458′,the cut or slice may be at a 45 degree angle.

In FIG. 54 b, clip leg segment 456 has been further cut, stamped orotherwise configured to establish single thread nut 457 with the lockingelement 458 on the nut bore. Axially protruding leg 459 has been formedby bending leg 459 out of the plane established by clip leg 456. Distaltine end 460 has been formed by bending the tine leg radially inwardtoward nut bore 461 away from the plane of axial leg 459.

FIG. 56 a shows a J-clip 470 having a truncated clip leg 471 and asecond clip leg 472. Clip leg 472 has a nut bore 473 and a single threadnut 474. Single thread nut 474 includes nut segments 475, 476 and 477.These nut thread segments define arcuate regions around the nut threadbore 473.

In addition, clip leg 472 includes a locking element consisting ofaxially protruding legs 480 and 481. Each axially protruding legincludes a distal tine end 482, 484. Distal tine ends 482, 484 flex intoand out of the notches in longitudinal channel 9 (FIG. 53 a) or spirallocking channel 7 (FIG. 53 b) of a specially configured bolt.Counter-rotational movement is prohibited when the distal tine ends 482,484 abut the locking face of one or more notches. Rotational movement ispermitted because the distal tine ends 484, 482 ride on the opposingslope of the notch or notches and the bolt thread crest. The operationof the distal tine ends is shown earlier herein. As shown in FIG. 56 a,the axially protruding legs are disposed circumferentially at certainregions beyond nut thread segments 475, 476 and 477.

FIGS. 56 b-56 h diagrammatically illustrate another type of lockingfastener or clip. In FIGS. 56 b-56 d, tine support plate 1800 is bentnormal to clip leg 1802. Clip leg 1802 includes a single thread bore1804. Support plate 1800 is punched or tooled to define tine 1806. Sidesections 1810, 1812 are bent normal to plate 1800 to provide additionalsupport for the plate. See FIG. 56 d. Axial compression of the fasteneris limited by wall sections 1826, 1843. FIG. 56 c is a head on view ofthe fastener clip. As shown, tine 1806 protrudes radially andtangentially towards center point 1805 of single thread 1804.

With respect to FIG. 56 e, plate 1800 carries tine 1806. That tinecooperates with a groove or channel on the bolt secured to single thread1804. Support plate 1800 does not include support end sections 1810,1812 shown in FIGS. 56 b-56 d. The structure in FIGS. 56 b-d is slightlymore stable and less likely to twist upon application of excessivefastening torque.

FIGS. 56 f-56 h diagrammatically illustrate another type of constructionfor the single thread system. In FIG. 56 f, single thread bore 1804 iscarried by plate section 1820. Plate section 1822 is divided into endpanel 1824, central panel 1826 and opposing side panel 1828. A tine 1830is defined in central panel section 1826. The fastener includes afurther plate section 1832 having a through bore 1834 therethrough.Through bore 1834 has a center point 1836. Single thread bore 1804 alsohas a center point 1803. The fastener further includes a trisected panelsection 1840. Panel section 1840 includes side panels 1841, 1842 andcentral panel section 1843. A tine 1845 is defined in central panelsection 1843. To construct the fastener, center point 1836 of throughbore 1834 is placed coaxial with respect to center point 1803 of singlethread bore 1804. The plate is bent accordingly. FIG. 56 g illustratesthe completed fastener 1850. Similar numerals designate similar items inFIGS. 56 f-56 h. Side panels 1824, 1842 provide additional support forcentral panel 1826, 1843 which carry tines 1830, 1845. The side panelsenhance axial compression and limit twisting of the fastener.

FIG. 56 h is similar to the fastener discussed above in connection withFIGS. 56 f and 56 g. However, the fastener of FIG. 56 h does not includesupporting side panels. Instead, central panels 1826, 1843 carry tines1830, 1845. This fastener utilizes less manufacturing steps than FIG. 56f.

FIG. 57 diagrammatically illustrates U-shaped clip 490 having clip leg491 and clip leg 492. A bore 493 is defined on clip leg 491. A nut 494is formed on clip leg 492. Nut 494 includes nut threads 495 and a nutbore 496. An elongated locking unit 497 is formed on an outboard axialend 498 of nut 494. The cylindrical locking unit 497 includes at leastone, and in the illustrated embodiment, several compressible tines. Forexample, distal tine end 500 is defined in cut-out 501 of cylindricalwall 503 of cylindrical locking unit 497. Nut bore 496 is coaxial withrespect to bore 493 on clip leg 491. U-shaped clip 490 is adapted to beinserted onto a panel having a bore in the direction shown by arrow 454.Examples of these bored panels are shown in panel 401 in FIG. 47 andpanel 354 in FIG. 43, among others.

The clip fastener systems illustrated in FIGS. 57, 58, 59 and 60 includea threaded, extruded barrel 495 (FIG. 57) and a wider diameter extrudedportion or cylinder 497 to accommodate a spacial flex zone that is notthreaded. This double extrusion design saves material costs and space.

FIG. 58 shows a truncated U-shaped or J-shaped clip 560. Clip 560includes truncated clip leg 561 and clip leg 562. A nut 563 is formed onclip leg 562. Nut 563 includes nut threads 564 and an elongated,cylindrical locking unit 565. J-shaped clip 560 is placed on a boredpanel by moving clip 560 in the direction shown by arrow 566. Examplesof bored panels are found in FIG. 47, panel 401; FIG. 39, panel 280 andFIG. 38, panel 299.

FIG. 59 diagrammatically shows a perspective view of cylindrical lockingunit 497 mounted at an axial end of nut 494. Tine 500 is formed bycutting a cut-out 501 from cylindrical wall 503 of cylindrical lockingunit 497. Additionally, tine 500 is pushed or forced radially inwardtoward nut bore 496.

FIG. 60 shows a partial, broken away, plan view of cylindrical lockingunit 497 mounted at an axial end of nut 494. Nut 494 has an axial end498. Cylindrical locking unit 497 includes a frusto-conical member 505which leads to a larger diameter cylindrical member of cylindrical wall503. Cylindrical wall 503 has a larger diameter as compared withfrusto-conical member 504 and nut 494. The user can clearly see whethertine 507 is locked into one or more of the notches in longitudinallocking channel 9 (FIG. 53 a) or spiral locking channel 7 (FIG. 53 b) ofthe bolt. This is due to the fact that distal tine 507 is positioned incut-out 508. Tine 507 has a proximal tine portion 509 that is adjacentcylindrical wall 503.

FIGS. 61 a and 61 b diagrammatically illustrates plan views from theperspective of section line a′-a″ in FIG. 60 and section line b′-b″ inFIG. 60. In FIG. 61 a, the axially outboard edge 510 of cylindricallocking unit 497 is shown as is the axial outboard end 511 of thefrusto-conical section 505 (FIG. 60). A plurality of tines 500, 512, 509and 513 protrude tangentially and radially inward toward nut bore 496which establishes the axial centerline of the nut. In FIG. 61 b, theaxially inward edge 514 of nut 494 is illustrated. The radially largeouter edge 515 of frusto-conical member 505 (FIG. 60) is also shown inFIG. 61 b. The distal tine ends 500, 512, 509 and 513 are alsoillustrated.

As discussed earlier, U-shaped clips 490, 560 are placed on a boredpanel such that the axial centerline 496 of nuts 494, 563, are coaxialwith the bore through the panel. Thereafter, a specially configured nutsuch as the nut shown in FIGS. 53 a and 53 b and bolts 14, 15 arethreaded through the bores and onto nut threads 495, 564. Distal tineends 500, 509, 512 and 513 pop into and out of one or more notchesformed in longitudinal channel 9 of bolt thread segment 11 (FIG. 53 a)or spiral locking channel 7 of bolt thread segment 13 on bolt 15 (FIG.53 b). Counter-rotational movement is prohibited when the distal tineend abuts the locking face 36 of the notch. Rotational movement ispermitted when the bolt moves respect to the nut thread and the distaltine end rides on opposing slope 38 (FIG. 1 b) and bolt thread crest 30.The user can determine whether the distal tine end is locked by viewingthe tines in the cut-outs. The user can determine whether thecylindrical locking unit is locking on the specially configured boltbecause the position of the distal tine end is visible due to thecut-outs. See cut-out 501 in FIG. 57 for tine 500 and cut-out 508 fortine 507 in FIG. 60.

FIG. 62 shows U-shaped clip 520 having clip leg 521 with a bore 522there through. Clip 520 also includes clip leg 523. Clip 520 is placedon a panel 524 having a bore 525 there through. Clip 520 is placed onpanel 524 by moving the clip in the direction shown by arrow 526. Clipleg 523 carries a nut and locking unit 527 thereon.

FIGS. 63 a, b, c, d, e, f, g and h show various manufacturing stages andaxial end views of the nut and locking unit 527. A perspective plan viewof nut and locking unit 527 is shown in FIG. 64 a. In FIG. 64 a, the nutand locking unit is a cylindrical system having cylinder walls 528. Theinterior of cylinder wall 528 includes a nut thread 529. A locking unit530 is formed on an interior of said nut. Locking unit 530 includes adistal tine end 540 protruding tangentially and radially inward towardthe axially centerline of the nut and locking unit. The axial centerline541 of the nut is shown in FIG. 63 h. In the illustrated environment,nut and locking unit 527 includes a second distal tine end 542. Thedistal tine ends 540, 542 extend from tine bodies 543, 544. These tinebodies and distal tine ends are cutaway from cylinder nut wall 528.

In FIGS. 63 a and 63 b, cylinder body 528 of nut and locking unit 527 ismounted or formed on clip leg segment 523. As shown in FIG. 63 b, whichprovides a view of cylinder 528 from the perspective of section linesb′-b″ in FIG. 63 a, cylinder 528 is an elongated, thin walled cylinder.

In FIGS. 63 c and 63 d, a tine body or locking unit body 530 has beencut or stamped out of cylindrical wall 528.

In FIGS. 63 e and 63 f, locking unit segment 530 has been forcedradially outward. FIG. 63 f shows locking unit segment 530 and lockingunit segment 550.

In FIGS. 63 g and 63 h, locking unit segment 530 has been modified bybending distal tine end 540 radially inward to form the generallytangential and radially inward distal tine end. Tine body 543 providesadded flexibility to the tine and proximal tine portion 551 adjoins tinebody 543 with cylindrical wall 528.

As shown in FIG. 63 h, distal tine ends 540, 542 protrude tangentiallyand radially inward toward axial centerline 541. Tine bodies 543, 544protrude slightly radially outward beyond the radial dimension ofcylinder wall 528.

Of course, cylinder wall 528 would have to be thick enough toaccommodate and carry the nut threads 529 on its interior wall surface.Threads are formed after formation of the compressible tines.

Since the locking units 530, 550, are formed in cut-outs on thecylindrical wall 528, the user can visually determine whether distaltine ends 540, 542 have fallen into longitudinal locking channel 9 orspiral locking channel 7 in bolt 14, 15 shown in FIGS. 68 a, 68 b.

The “punctured barrel” clip or fastener locks shown in FIG. 64 a (andthe associated U & J-shaped clips, FIGS. 62 and 65) utilize a spacialflex zone that radially extends outside the barrel 528. This extendedflex zone increases tine length and, when combined with a distal tinebend 540, 542, results in a predetermined angle of engagement.

FIG. 64 b graphically illustrates the locking zone 1900 for thepunctured barrel clip locks shown in FIGS. 64 a and 67 (discussedlater). The spacial flex zone 1902 for tine 1904 is outside the threadedbarrel 1906. Of course, threaded barrel 1906 also provides thecylindrical support for tine 1904. The use of spacial flex zone 1902outside of threaded barrel 1906 enables an increase in tine length 1904.When this increase length is combined with secondary bend 1905 at thedistal end of tine 1904, a larger angle of engagement is achieved on thespecially configured bolt (FIGS. 68 a, 68 b and 2 b). This increases thefastening or clamping ability.

FIG. 65 diagrammatically shows a J-shaped clip 570. Of course, asexplained earlier, clip 570 is a U-clip with a truncated clip leg 571.Clip 570 includes clip leg 572 on which is mounted, attached or formed anut and locking unit 573. This nut locking unit 573 is described indetail in conjunction with FIGS. 66 a-d and 67. When clip 570 is placedon bored panel 574 by moving the clip in the direction shown by arrow575 and bore 576 of nut and locking unit 573 is coaxial with bore 577 onpanel 574, one of the specially configured bolts 14, 15 (FIGS. 68 a, 68b) maybe utilized to lock the bolt on the locking nut clip assembly andparticularly clip 570.

Nut and locking unit 573 is generally similar to the nut and lockingunit 527 discussed earlier. However, the locking unit element is movedfrom an intermediate position on the nut threads to an axially outboardposition near axial end 578 of nut 573.

FIGS. 66 a-d diagrammatically illustrate various stages of manufactureof the nut and locking unit 573. In FIG. 66 a, a thin wall cylinder 580is formed, mounted or attached to clip leg segment 572. In FIG. 66 b, alocking unit segment 581 is cut or formed from thin walled cylinder 580.In FIG. 66 c, tine segment 581 is moved radially outward as shown byarrow 583 away from nut bore 576. In such a configuration, tine segment581 operates substantially the same as tine segment 530 in FIG. 63 f. InFIG. 66, the tine segment has been further divided into tine body 585and distal tine end 586.

In FIG. 67, the nut and locking unit 573 is shown as having tine body585, tangential and radially inwardly disposed distal tine end 586 andtine body 587 with a distal tine end 588. Thin walled cylinder 580 has anut thread 590 formed thereon. In this manner, when one of the speciallyconfigured bolts 14, 15 (FIGS. 68 a, 68 b) are coaxially disposedthrough panel bore 577 (FIG. 65) and the bolts are threaded on nutthread 590, locking is achieved when distal tine ends 586, 588 fallwithin and abut one or more of the locking faces in longitudinal lockingchannel 9 or spiral locking channel 7 of bolts 14, 15. Otherwise, thebolt moves rotatably with respect to the nut and locking unit assembly573 because the distal tine end rides on opposing slope 38 (FIG. 1 b) oratop bolt thread crest 30. The user can visually confirm whether thedistal tine ends have locked onto the locking channels because thedistal tine ends move in and out appropriate cut-outs in the thin walledcylinder 580. Visibility is enhanced due to these cut-outs.

Bolts 14, 15 illustrated in FIGS. 68 a, 68 b are described in detailearlier herein.

FIG. 69 illustrates a perspective view of locking unit 600 which, whenutilized in connection with a latch, enables the user to close the tinesthereby enabling full rotational and counter-rotational movement and,alternatively, unlatch and fully exposing the tines and providing alocking nut and bolt system in a locking position. Elongated lockingunit 600 illustrated in FIG. 69 includes a peripheral wall 601 whichincludes planar wall segments 603, 604, 605 and 606 as well as adjoiningwall segments 607, 608, 609 and 610. As described later in connectionwith the elongated locking unit shown in FIG. 75 a, peripheral wall 601may be cylindrically formed. Peripheral wall 601 is elongated in that ithas a reasonable axial dimension. The axial dimension of peripheral wall601 is shown as dimension 612 in FIG. 71 a.

Planar wall segments 603, 605 include cut-outs 613, 615 which enable theformation of distal tine ends 616, 617. Peripheral wall segments 603,605 also include radially extending lips 618, 619. In order to providestops for the slidable latch (described later in conjunction with FIG.70), a stop button or control surface 620, 621 is provided on lips 618,619. The other planar walls 604, 606 also include radially extendinglips. Wall segments 607, 608, 609 and 610 also include radiallyextending lips along respective axially outboard edges.

In FIG. 70, latches 630, 631 are moveably disposed on peripheral wallsegments 603, 605. As shown in FIG. 70, the latches 630, 631 fullyexpose tines 616, 617. The latches are shaped complementary to theperipheral wall. By fully exposing tines 616, 617, the tines and thelatches are in a locking position. The locking position is shown in FIG.74 a. In order to provide a moveable latch 630, 631, the axiallyoutboard edges of peripheral wall segments 603, 605 form either channelsor channel members. Latches 630, 631 form complementary channel membersor complementary channels. In the illustrated embodiment, the radiallyoutwardly extending lips 618, 619 of peripheral wall segments 603, 605establish channel members. The channel is formed on the latch by anaxially outboard and radially extending surface 635 and a tangentiallyextending surface 636. See FIG. 71 a. In other words, each latch 630,631 includes an axially extending latch wall 640, 641 (see FIG. 71 a)and, that latch wall, in conjunction with radial surface 635, andtangential depending surface 636, forms an inverted L-shaped channel atan axially outboard position of the latch. The radial lip 618 ofperipheral wall segment 603 forms the channel member which is trappedwithin the channel formed by latch wall 640, radial latch wall 625 andtangential latch wall 636.

FIG. 71 a diagrammatically illustrates the channel formed by the latch.In addition, a lower radially inward extending channel defining latchmember 645 is provided.

FIG. 71 b shows latch 630 in a locking position fully exposing tine 616.The latch is moved far away from the stop. As discussed in detailearlier, tine 616 is formed in a cut-out 613 in peripheral wall segment603. The tine prevents counter-rotational movement when co-acting withone or more notches on the bolt.

FIG. 72 shows elongated locking unit 600 disposed in a recess below nutend face 650 of nut 651. This recess is similar to other recessesdiscussed herein. See, for example, FIG. 15.

FIGS. 73 a, b and c diagrammatically illustrate the closing action oflatch 630 with respect to distal tine end 616. In FIG. 73 a, latch 630fully exposes distal tine end 616 thereby enabling the tine to lock ontoone or more notches in longitudinal locking channel 9 shown on bolt 14in FIG. 68 a or spiral locking channel 7 shown on bolt 15 in FIG. 68 b.

In FIG. 73 b latch 630 has been moved in the direction shown by arrow655 which is near the capture or closed position for distal tine end616. In FIG. 73 c, latch 630 is completely capturing tine 616 therebyplacing the tine in a closed position. When the tine is in a closedposition, the bolt may move in a rotational and a counter-rotationalwith respect to the nut thread. Of course, in order to fully place theelongated locking unit 600 in a fully closed position, latch 631 must bemoved in the direction shown by arrow 656 to capture distal tine end617.

FIGS. 74 a, b and c diagrammatically show bolt 657 threaded onto nut651. In FIG. 74 a, latch 630 fully exposes distal tine end 616 and thattine has dropped into a notch in bolt thread 658. Distal tine end 617 isalso fully exposed in a locking position due to the position of latch631.

In FIG. 74 b, latch 630 is in an intermediate position between lockingposition (FIG. 74 a) and the closed position (FIG. 74 c). Distal tineend 616 is only partially removed from notch 660 on bolt thread 658. InFIG. 67 c, latch 630 has completely captured the associated distal tineend thereby permitting bolt 657 to rotate in either rotational orcounter-rotational movement. Of course, when distal tine end 617 fallswithin one or more notches, counter-rotational movement is prohibited.FIG. 74 c also shows that latch 630 has been moved in the directionshown by arrow 660 such that the latch abuts stop 620. Various types ofstops such as buttons, walls, etc. can be utilized.

As a further enhancement of the latch, the axially inboard portion ofthe latch may require the formation of a channel within which theaxially inboard edge 659 (FIG. 71 a) acts as a channel member. Thechannel is formed by an axially inboard lip region of the peripheralwall.

FIGS. 75 a and 75 b show a perspective view of a cylindrical lockingunit 662. Cylindrical locking unit 662 includes a cylindrical peripheralwall 663 which has cut-outs 664, 665 within which are disposed distaltine ends 666, 667. Elongated locking unit 662 also includes a radiallip 668.

FIG. 75 b shows that radial lip 668 has been segmented and rolledradially inward to form radially inward lip segments 669 and 670. Asdiscussed later, these radially inward lip segments 669, 670 operate aschannel members in order to guide the latch. These channel members 669,670 inter-fit with certain defined channels in the latch.

FIG. 76 shows a cylindrical latch 671 having a cylindrical wall 672which is complementary to cylindrical peripheral wall 663. In otherwords, cylindrical latch 672 is adapted to be inserted and inter-fitinto cylindrical wall 663. Cylindrical latch 671 includes acorresponding cut-out 673, 674 for each distal tine end 666, 667. Latchwall 672 also includes channels defined as cut-outs 675, 676. Radiallyinward lip channel members 669, 670 (FIG. 75 b) of the cylindricallocking unit are placed within channels 675, 676 of the latch.Cylindrical latch 671 includes an axial end cap 678. Axial end cap 678includes a slot 679 thereon. This slot enables the user to turn thecylindrical latch with a screwdriver or other thin tool.

FIG. 77 shows elongated locking unit 662 carrying cylindrical latch 671.Distal tine end 666 is fully exposed in cut-out 664. This reveals thatcylindrical latch 671 is in a locking position.

FIG. 78 shows cylindrical locking unit 662 mounted in a recess in nut680. Cylindrical latch 671 is mounted within cylindrical locking unit662. The nut with a recess is described earlier.

FIG. 79 shows a perspective view of cylindrical latch 671 without axialend cap 678. Similar numerals designate similar items in FIGS. 76, 77and 79.

In FIG. 80, cylindrical latch 671 has been placed in cylindrical lockingunit 662. As shown in FIG. 80, radially inward lips 669, 670 formchannel members on the locking unit which cooperate with the respectivechannels 675, 676 on the latch. As shown in FIG. 80, the cylindricallatch 671 fully exposes distal tine ends 666, 667 thereby providing alocking position of the latch and locking unit 662. When the latch isrotated in the direction shown by arrow 683, distal tine ends 666, 667are trapped by latch cylindrical wall 672 and are in a closed position.

FIG. 81 shows cylindrical latch 671 mounted within cylindrical lockingunit 662. FIG. 82 shows cylindrical locking unit 662 mounted in a recessin nut 680. Cylindrical latch 671 extends axially outboard of end face681 of nut 680. Of course, the distal tine ends 666, 667 extendtangentially and radially inward toward axial centerline 685.

FIG. 83 shows a specially configured bolt 1 with longitudinal lockingchannels 3 thereon. Nut 680 will be threaded onto the bolt threads ofbolt 1. Nut 680 carries cylindrical locking unit 662 and cylindricallatch 671.

In FIG. 84, bolt 1 has been threaded onto nut 680 and captures panels687, 688,

FIGS. 85 and 86 show bolts 14, 15 having a longitudinal locking channel9 and a spiral locking channel 7, respectively. Longitudinal lockingchannel 9 is disposed on bolt thread segment 11. Spiral locking channel7 is disposed on bolt thread segment 13. Rather than using bolt 1 withlongitudinal locking channels 3, this system described as thecylindrical locking unit 662 and the cylindrical latch 671 can be usedwith bolt 15 having the spiral locking channel 7.

FIGS. 87 a and 87 b show a cylindrical locking unit 662 similar to thecylindrical locking unit shown in connection with FIGS. 75 a and 75 babove. Distal tine ends 666, 667 extend tangentially and radially inwardtoward the axial centerline 701 of cylindrical locking unit 662.Radially inward channel members 669, 670 are formed from a portion ofradially outward extending lip 668.

FIG. 88 diagrammatically illustrates a cylindrical latch 702 having aperipheral, cylindrical wall 703. Peripheral wall 703 includes cut-outs704, 705. In additional, peripheral wall 703 includes radiallyextending, user actuatable control surfaces 707, 708. Control surfaces707, 708 extend radially beyond the axial centerline 710 of cylindricallatch unit 702. In additional, peripheral wall 703 includes a channelcut-out 711. Channel cut-out 711 cooperates with channel member 669 inFIG. 87 b in order to provide guidance for the rotation of cylindricallatch 702 with respect to cylindrical locking unit 662. Basically, thelatch stops at either end of channel 711 based upon the size of channel711 and the size of radially inward channel members 669. Another channelwould be formed on the opposing portion of peripheral wall 703 toaccommodate radially inward channel member 670. Alternatively, thesechannels and channel members may be deleted in favor of radial stopsprovided by the user actuatable control surfaces.

FIG. 89 shows a perspective view of cylindrical latch 702 inserted intocylindrical locking unit 662. Radially extending control surfaces 707,708 enable the user to rotate cylindrical latch 702 within cylindricallocking unit 662. As an alternative embodiment, radially inward lips669, 670 can be wrapped around the axial edge 712 of cylindrical latch702. In this manner additional guide channels are provided for thelatch. As shown in FIG. 89, cylindrical latch 702 fully exposes distaltine ends 666, 667, thereby providing a locking position for thecylindrical locking unit 662 and the cylindrical latch 702. When thecylindrical latch 702 is moved in the direction shown by arrow 713, theperipheral wall 703 of latch 702 captures distal tines 666, 667 andprohibits the distal tine ends from locking onto the locking surfaces ofa longitudinal locking channel 9 (FIG. 85) or a spiral locking channel 7(FIG. 86).

FIG. 90 illustrates an end view of bolt 720 which carries in a recess onbolt end face 721 the cylindrical locking unit 662. Cylindrical latch702 is disposed within the interior of cylindrical locking unit 662. Theuser actuatable control surfaces 707, 708 are available for use. A bolt722 is threaded into nut 720. Distal tine ends 667 have fallen into theappropriate notch and the distal tine end 667 abuts the locking facethereby preventing counter-rotational movement of bolt 772 in direction723 with respect to nut 720.

FIG. 91 diagrammatically illustrates a socket 730 having a female socketfitting 731. Female socket fitting 731 is sized to mate with male rachetfitting 732. Male fitting 732 is attached to a rachet 733. Rachet 733 isa conventional tool. FIG. 91 also shows a user actuatable controlsurface 735 which is functionally equivalent to control surfaces 707,708 for cylindrical latch 702. By moving control surface 735 in thedirection shown by arrow 736, the user can place the elongated lockingunit and the cylindrical latch in a closed position, thereby enablingthe user to move the bolt in a clockwise rotational movement and acounterclockwise rotational movement via rachet tool 733.

FIG. 92 illustrates a plan view of the socket. Socket 703 and femalefitting 731 are diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 92. The cylindricallatch 777 having a user actuatable control surface 735, 737 is alsoshown. The cylindrical latch has axially extending legs 738, 739 thatoperate in the same manner as peripheral latch wall 703 in cylindricallatch 702. In other words, when axial latch panels 738, 739 trap distaltine ends 666, 667, the tool is in a closed position and the user canoperate rachet tool 733 in either a clockwise or counterclockwisemanner. The distal tine ends do not abut the locking face of thespecially configured bolt thereby permitting counter rotationalmovement. When the axial legs 738, 739 of cylindrical latch 777 arecircumferentially disposed away from distal tine ends 666, 667, thesystem is in a locking position and the user may only rotate the boltwith respect to the nut in a clockwise or single rotational direction.

FIG. 93 diagrammatically shows the latch system. Socket 730 is shown incross section and user actuatable control surfaces 735, 737 are visible.Cylindrical latch 777 has axially depending legs 738, 739 and 740.

FIGS. 94 a and 94 b diagrammatically illustrate a female threaded unit750. Female threaded unit 750 includes a bore 752 carrying a femalethread 753. Female thread 753 is complementary to a bolt. In FIG. 94 b,surface 754 of female threaded unit 750 has a recess 755 formed therein.

FIGS. 95 a and 95 b illustrate a perspective and a side view of lockingunit 760. In the illustrated embodiment, locking unit 760 is shaped as arectangle. However, the locking unit could be cylindrical as shown withrespect to locking unit 662 in FIG. 75 b. The shape of locking unit 760is complementary to the shape of recess 755. Locking unit 760 includes aplurality of distal tine ends 761, 762, 763 and 764. These distal tineends protrude tangentially and radially toward the axial centerline 765formed within locking unit 760. Locking unit 760 also includes a centralbore 766. As explained later, a specially configured bolt passes throughbore 766. If a cylindrical locking unit is utilized, bore 766 would bedefined by the cylindrical locking unit body. See FIG. 75 b. The distaltine ends 761, 762, 763 and 764 are formed by cut-outs in the lockingunit wall. One cut-out 768 is associated with tine 762.

FIG. 95 b shows a side view of locking unit 760 and particularly distaltine end 764. Distal tine end 764 is formed and operates in cut-out 770.The view in FIG. 95 b is from the perspective of section line b′-b″ inFIG. 95 a.

FIG. 96 diagrammatically illustrates female threaded unit 750 havinglocking unit 760 installed in recess 755. As shown, distal tine ends761, 762, 763 and 764 protrude axially toward the actual centerline ofnut thread 753 in the female unit 750.

FIGS. 97 a, 97 b and 97 c show a specially configured bolt 772. Bolt 772has a bolt stem 773 with a bolt thread 774. Bolt 772 includes a bolthead 775 defining a plurality of notches thereon, one of which is notch776.

FIG. 97 b is a top view from the perspective of section line b′-b″ inFIG. 97 a. In FIG. 97 b, bolt head 775 has a plurality of notches, oneof which is notch 776. Notch 776 includes a locking face 777 and anopposing slope 778.

FIG. 97 c shows bolt 772 and notches spaced circumferentially spacedaround bolt head 775. In other words, notch 776 is spaced from notch 780by an arc 781. The larger the arc 781, the less digital locking actionis provided by the bolt head and the distal tine ends of the lockingunit.

FIGS. 98 a and 98 b show a perspective view and an end view of thelocking nut and bolt system as a “blind hole” design. In FIG. 98 afemale threaded unit 750 has bolt 772 threaded therein. Distal tine end761 is locking into notch 776. Counter rotational movement in thedirection shown by arrow 790 is prohibited. In other words, if bolt 772were moved in direction 790 with respect to female threaded unit 750,such counter rotational movement would be prohibited. Alternatively, ifbolt 772 were moved in a direction opposite to direction 790, the tinewould move over the notch in the bolt head.

FIG. 98 b clearly shows distal tine ends 761, 762, 763 and 764 acting inrespective notches for example notch 776 in conjunction with distal tineend 761. Since all of the distal tine ends have locked onto and abut arespective lock face 36 (FIG. 1 b) of the respective notch, counterrotational movement is prohibited.

As stated earlier, rather than a rectangular locking unit 760 acylindrical locking unit 662 shown in FIG. 75 b may be utilized. Theoperation of a cylindrical locking unit 662 is substantially identicalto the action of rectangular locking unit 760.

General comments regarding the blind hole screw design follow.

The blind hole screw head grooves must have one or more engagementwalls.

The angle of engagement should be less than 90 degrees to prevent thetine from disengaging from the screw head.

The blind screw system permits a screw to mechanically lock into a blindhole or tapped hole.

The blind hole screw system includes, in some embodiments, tinesincorporated within recesses of any shape, polygonal or otherwise, toprevent the rotation of the entire locking mechanism. Compare FIGS. 95a, 107, 108, 110 a, 110 c and 111 a.

The blind hole screw system may include tines mounted on non-recessedshapes that abut faces, shapes or other bolts to prevent the rotation ofthe entire locking mechanism. See FIG. 111 a. FIG. 95 a shows a recessedblind hole.

Some embodiments of the blind screw include a tine mechanism with a seatwith a hole through which a screw passes prior to insertion into theblind hole—to which is attached a myriad of optional configurations thatinclude a locking mechanism or series of locking mechanisms to engage inthe grooves of the screw head, and those locking mechanisms be housed orsecured in an assortment of recess designs or in the absence of arecess, an assortment of forms, posts or objects, thereby preventing theseat from rotation around with the screw.

A anti-rotation protrusion on the underside of a blind hole clip may keyinto a recess adjacent to the blind screw hole.

Other screws may be used to mutually prevent locking mechanism rotation.

The blind screw may include a screw that uses a tapered or curvilinearsurface on the underside of the screw head to deflect a locking deviceinto the screw head or locking mechanism so as to not damage or crushthe tines. A self-threading screw may be utilized.

In some embodiments of the blind screw, the system incorporates selftapping screw technology or any other thread form, including standardthread patterns, into the shank of the screw to permit fastening intoany material. The head of the screw or bolt must carry grooves. See FIG.104, for example.

General comments regarding blind hole screws and clips and removal toolsfollow.

In some embodiments of the blind screw, the system is enabled to removethe locking mechanism with a tool or destroy the locking mechanism ofthe blind or tapped screw during servicing without damaging the threadedfeatures of the tapped hole, the threaded features of the screw itself,or the locking grooves incorporated within the head of the screw.Adhesives will actually “weld” a tapped screw in place under of hightemperature conditions requiring drill taps to remove the screw.

The locking mechanism may be manufactured in any shape to increase thenumber of tines or reduce the circumference of the space taken up aroundthe blind hole or to fit the tines into an unusual recess dictated bythe tapped hole and its surrounding structures.

Visual inspection of the blind screw enables the user to visuallyinspect the locking feature of the blind hole confirming lockingengagement.

In all embodiments of the blind screw, normal tools maybe used forinstallation. Drive heads in the blind hole screw can be Phillips,hexlobe, Allen, standard screw drive heads, Torx®, etc., or any otherlicensed proprietary drive.

The “V” cuts in the blind hole clip allow proper seating in a beveledblind hole or a funnel shaped blind hole. See FIG. 106.

Other embodiments of the blind hole design are discussed below inconnection with FIGS. 103 b-112 c.

FIG. 99 diagrammatically illustrates a removal tool 802 about to beplaced atop a locking nut and bolt assembly 804. Top end 806 of removaltool 802 includes a female socket fitting 808 into which male socket 810is inserted as shown by arrow 812. Male socket fitting 810 is part ofthe conventional ratchet 814.

In the illustrated embodiment, removal tool 802 includes an outercylinder 816 and an inner cylinder or cylindrical body 818. The outershape of cylinder 816 may be altered. It is the inner cylindrical shapethat is important since body 818 rotates within cylinder 816. Also, theremoval tool may be configured exclusively as cylindrical body 818 withthe depressible legs as described herein. Cylindrical body 818 has anopen end which is established by lower edge 820. Since cylindrical body818 is shown in a partial, broken away view, only the rearward arcuateedge 820 is illustrated in FIG. 99. As discussed later, if the forwardportion of cylindrical body 818 is rotated in the direction shown byarrow 824, the rearward arcuate edge 820 moves in the direction shown byarrow 826.

A plurality of depending legs axially extend beyond lower edge 820 ofcylindrical body 818. For example, see legs 830 and 832. The dependinglegs 830, 832 are axially moveable within guide channels formed nearlower edge 820. In the illustrated embodiment, these guide channels areformed by lateral stops 834, 836 specifically illustrated in connectionwith depending leg 832. In order to limit radial movement of thedepending legs, a circumferential bar 838 traps the moveable dependinglegs between the lateral stops. Circumferential bar 838 is shown inconnection with depending leg 830. Other guides such as tongue andgroove structures may be utilized.

Each depending leg axially moves relatively independent of the otherlegs. Also, each depending leg is axially biased outward, beyond edge820. In the illustrated embodiment, this axially outward bias isprovided by a spring 840. To provide relatively independent movement foreach depending leg, spring 840 rests against one or more upper stops842. Of course, each depending leg could be axially biased outward onits separate spring. Also, there are many mechanisms to capture single,circumferential spring 840 while providing for independent, axiallyoutboard biasing of depending legs 830, 832. The claims appended heretoare meant to cover these and other modifications.

Also, the removal tool may be much smaller than illustrated herein andthe proportional size of depending legs relative to the locking body(discussed later) may be different than illustrated herein. The removaltool drawings are illustrative of the concepts discussed herein.

In operation, lower edge 820 of cylindrical body 818 is sized to mateclosely with locking body 850 and bolt thread 872. Nut 852 carrieslocking body 850 in a recess 854 below the nut face. Locking body 850includes a locking tine having a distal tine end 860 and a proximal tinebody 862. As described earlier, distal tine 860 falls into one or moreof a plurality of notches 870 on bolt thread 872. The locking body maybe configured as shown in many earlier figures.

Locking body 850 has a radially inward edge 851 that closely followsbolt thread 872. Other than interspace 853 between locking body edge 851and bolt thread 872, locking body 850 closely matches thecircumferential size of bolt thread 872.

Since lower edge 820 of cylindrical body 818 is complementary to boltthread 872, depending legs 830, 832 are also complementary andcircumferentially disposed about the radially outer periphery of boltthread 872. In operation, lower edge 820 is place atop bolt thread 872and one or more depending legs 830, 832 fall within the interspace 853between locking body edge 851 and bolt thread 872. When cylindrical body818 is rotated as shown in the direction 826 and depending leg 831 isaxially disposed in interspace 853, the leg is forced against andradially outwardly moves proximal tine body 862. By moving proximal tinebody 862 radially outward, distal tine end 860 is moved out of notch870. This enables counter rotational movement of the bolt relative tothe nut. This counter rotational movement can be provided, in theillustrated embodiment, by the appropriate directional movement ofratchet 814. In summary, the removal tool unlocks the nut from the bolt.

In the illustrated embodiment, cylindrical body 818 is coaxial withrespect to outer cylinder 816. Rotational movement of cylindrical body818 with respect to outer cylinder 816 is provided by moving useractuatable control surface 880. User actuatable control surface 880protrudes radially outward through a hole 882 in outer cylinder 816. Inthe illustrated embodiment, hole 882 is a partial spiral such that whencontrol surface 880 is moved in the direction shown by arrow 824,cylindrical body 818 moves rotatably and axially with respect to therelatively stationary outer cylinder 816. Also, cylindrical body 818 ismoved axially outward or downward as shown by arrow 825 based uponcontrol surface 880 moving in partial spiral 882. Of course, hole 882could be a circumferential arc such that removal tool moves rotatablyand not axially with respect to other cylinder 816. In thisconfiguration, the user would place body 818 on the locked bolt anrotate the unit until one or more depending legs are forced into theinterspace. FIG. 100 diagrammatically illustrates outer cylinder 816,inner cylindrical body 818, user actuatable control surface 880 and hole882.

FIGS. 101 and 102 diagrammatically illustrate certain operationalaspects of the depending legs. In FIG. 101, depending leg 902 has beenaxially disposed in interspace 853. Interspace 853 is formed betweenradially inward edge 851 of locking body 850 and bolt thread 872. Theterminal end 903 of depending leg 904 rests on the exposed face of body850 in a singular radial plane formed by the axial end face of lockingbody 850. Terminal end 905 is also resting on the end face of lockingbody 850. As illustrated, biasing spring 840 (or other biasingstructure) is a exerting axially outward bias against depending legs 907and 904. The spring stops, one of which is stop 842, limits axiallymovement of spring 840. In contrast, the axially outward bias of spring840 maintains the axially outboard position of depending leg 902 intointerspace 853.

In FIG. 102, the removal tool has been rotated as shown in arrow 912.Depending leg 902 has moved proximal tine body 862 radially outward andhence has moved distal tine end 860 out of notch 870 on bolt thread 872.Terminal ends 904 and 903 are riding atop locking body 850. In thismanner, the nut can be removed with respect to the bolt.

FIG. 103 a diagrammatically illustrates interspace 920 formed betweenlocking body 922 and bolt thread 924. If a depending leg is placed ininterspace 920 and moved in the direction shown by arrow 926, proximaltine body 930 moves radially outward which, in turn, moves distal tineend 932 out of notch 934. The locking nut and bolt combination shown inFIG. 103 a is similar to the nut configuration shown in FIGS. 12, 15 andmany other figures herein.

With respect to nuts, bolts, clips, screws and removal tools, generalcomments follow.

In several embodiments, the system facilitates servicing and removal ofthe nut or clip by a removal tool, whereby the nut, bolt and lockingmechanism can be reused.

The system is enabled to remove and replace a “clip lock” during repairsor servicing while reusing the bolt or screw.

With respect to nuts with built-in removal tool, general commentsfollow.

A removal system is incorporated within the stamped locking mechanismthat will not damage the stamped locking tines and allow reuse of thenut and locking mechanism.

The spacial flex zone allows access for the removal tool in allembodiments discussed herein.

Further, the spacial flex zone allows a removal tool to be incorporatedwithin the locking mechanism and, as such, will not damage the lockingtines and will allow the re-use of the system.

FIGS. 103 b-112 c diagrammatically illustrate various embodiments of theblind hole locking design. FIGS. 103 b and 103 c diagrammaticallyillustrate the grooves in the blind hole bolt. The groove configurationin FIG. 103 b is similar to the groove in FIG. 6 i. The groove in FIG.103 c is similar to the groove 1012 in FIG. 2 c. Locking face 2001 abutsthe distal tine end (not shown). Opposing slope 2003 defines the balanceof the locking zone. In FIG. 103 c, the locking zone is defined bylocking face 2001, base wall 2008 and rising slope wall 2006. Together,these groove faces or walls form locking zone 2005. The interaction ofthe tine in these locking zones is discussed earlier.

FIG. 104 shows bolt head 2010 having a recess 2011 which is adapted toreceive allen wrenches and various other types of tools. Additionally,bolt head 2010 has the specially configured locking zone 2012 similar tothat shown in FIG. 2 c.

FIG. 105 diagrammatically illustrates specially configured blind holebolt 2014 having a plurality of notches or channels 2016 on bolt head2018. At the axially inboard end of each channel 2016 is a tapered orcurvilinear surface 2020. This carved out surface on the underside ofbolt or screw head 2018 deflects the tine into groove 2016. This limitsor eliminates damage or crushing of the end of the tine.

FIG. 106 diagrammatically shows a rectilinear tine support 2025. Thebase 2026 of tine carrying box 2025 includes V shaped cutouts 2028spaced about through bore 2030. The V shaped cutouts 2028 enable theblind hole clip 2025 to properly seat in a beveled blind hole (hole 755in FIG. 94 b) or a funnel shaped blind hole. The hole may be atruncated, frustoconical shape.

FIGS. 107-109 diagrammatically illustrate various shapes for the blindhole, tine carrying structure. In FIG. 108, tine carrying structure 2040is a polygon or a hexagon. A plurality of tines 2041 extend radially andtangentially into the interior space in which the bolt head passes. Eachtine is mounted on a wall segment 2042.

With respect to FIG. 108, tine carrying structure 2040 is a truncatedgeometric shape. In a similar manner to the blind hole locking system inFIG. 107, tine 2041 is supported and carried by wall 2042. The tine hasa spacial flex zone adequate to pass over the non-grooved portions ofthe bolt or screw head.

In FIG. 109, tine carrying support structure 2040 has a lower, radiallydisposed plate 2045 which lends additional support to the structure. Theterm “radial” relates to axial centerline of the bolt or screw.

FIGS. 110 a-110 c diagrammatically illustrate a blind hole lockingsystem which is mounted atop a structure 2050. The tine supportstructure 2040 supports and carries a plurality of tines 2041. The bolthead 2051 includes a plurality of locking zones 2052. The bolt passeswithin through bore 2054 defined in base 2056. Further, tine support2040 is further supported by base 2056. Base 2056 includes a dependingleg 2057. The tine support 2040 and base 2056 is mounted by anyreasonable fastening means (nails, screws, rivets, bolts, etc.) tounderlying structure 2050. Structure 2050 includes a bore there through2060 in order to permit the stem of the bolt to pass through structure2050.

FIGS. 111 a-112 c diagrammatically illustrate other types of blind holefastening mechanisms. In FIG. 111 a, tine carrying wall 2040 is curved.However, wall 2040 carries a plurality of tines 2041 which interact withlocking zones 2052 on bolt head 2051.

FIG. 111 b shows that tine carrying wall 2040 is connected to base 2056.Base 2056 includes a depending leg 2071.

FIG. 111 c shows that tine carrying wall 2040 has a plurality of tines2041 thereon. Tines 2041 each include a distal tine end 2006 which isoffset at an angle with respect to tine body 2008.

FIG. 111 d shows tine carrying wall structure 2040.

FIG. 111 e shows tine carrying wall 2040 coacting with bolt head 2051.Bolt head 2051 includes a plurality of grooves which define lockingzones 2052.

FIG. 111 f shows that blind hole locking system and tine carryingstructure 2040 is mounted on structure 2050. Structure 2050 includes atruncated partial bore 2080 into which is depending disposed leg 2071.See FIG. 111 b. Structure 2050 also includes bore 2060 to accommodatethe stem of the bolt.

FIG. 12 a diagrammatically illustrates tine carrying wall 2040 with aplurality of tines 2041 coacting with locking zones 2052 on bolt head2051. However, in order to provide a stationary positioning of the tinecarrying wall 2040, the structure includes or co-acts with posts 2090.FIG. 112 b diagrammatically shows tine carrying wall 2040 and base 2056.

FIG. 112 c shows tine carrying wall 2040 locked in place via post 2090and opposing post 2091. Post 2090 and 2091 arise from base 2050.Alternatively, post 2090 and 2091 maybe separate items that are affixedto base 2050. These items may be screws, bolts or poles.

FIGS. 113 and 114 and 115 diagrammatically illustrate other embodimentsof the blind hole one-way locking nut and bolt system.

In FIG. 113, blind hole bolt 2200 includes a common bolt head 2202 atopan axially grooved blind hole bolt head section 2204. Threaded bolt stem2210 depends from blind hole bolt head section 2204. In operation, thelocking tines fall into and out of axial grooves 2203 on blind hole boltsection 2204. Counter-rotational movement is prohibited when the lockingface of the grooves engages with the tine. See FIGS. 98 a and 111 a. Thepresence of common nut, bolt or screw head 2202 atop blind hole bolthead 2204 enables the user to tighten the fastener system onto theunderlying structure. Of course, common nut, bolt or screw head sectionmay be hexagonal or allen wrench or straight or phillips screwdriverdriven. These systems are covered by the appended claims.

FIG. 114 diagrammatically illustrates a combinatory lug or nut unit 2221having a common nut head 2223 and grooved blind hole head 2222 with thecommon nut structure 2223 beneath blind hole head 2222. Further, theblind hole head section 2222 includes an axially inboard bevel 2224. Thebevel may be omitted. The bevel facilitates the locking tine action whenthe blind hole locking nut is threaded onto a bolt stem.

FIG. 115 diagrammatically illustrates combinatory unit 2221 beingthreaded onto bolt stem 2306. Internal female threads 2308 of unit 2221are complementary to stem threads 2306. Grooves 2203 enable the blindhole section 2222 to lock onto locking unit 2305 which carries tines2301. Tines 2301 extend tangentially and radially towards the axialcenterline of the unit. Stop ring 2211 limits axially inboard movementof the combinatory unit 2221 inboard toward the left of FIG. 115. Stopring 2211 acts on axially outboard edge 2309. Alternatively, stem 2306may extend axially beyond edge 2309 (and possibly well beyond thelocking unit wall). Also, the locking unit may be retained in a recessor may be surface mounted. Further, stop 2211 may limit axially inboardmovement of a socket acting on nut surface 2221. In the absence of aradially extending ridge or stop 2211, the blind hole groove segment2222 may be radially larger than nut segment 2221. The radially largergrooved segment will stop axially inboard movement of the socket.

Segmenting rim 2211 acts as a stop to the common driver for the bolt orlug stem. Also the blind hole bolt head section 2204, 2222 has a smallerradii than the common nut, bolt or screw head. This enables the commondriver to easily grasp the common drive head. The smaller size is alsouseful in mechanically sensing the blind hole bolt head grooves.Alternatively, the grooved section may be radially larger.

In another embodiment, the blind hole fastening system can be mounted ona leg of a clip. In this embodiment, the locking unit (carrying one ormore tines) is mounted on a leg of a clip. The clip is placed on agenerally planar, underlying structure. Somewhere, either on theunderlying structure or otherwise disposed adjacent thereto, a nut or anut thread carrying unit is disposed. The nut thread maybe located onanother clip leg. The specially configured blind hole bolt (the boltwith a groove carrying head) is inserted into the axial through bore ofthe locking unit, inserted into the bore on the clip leg (which maybethe locking nit bore), inserted through the bore on the underlyingstructure and ultimately the male thread on the blind hole bolt engagesthe nut thread. One way rotation is permitted when the blind hole bolthead enages the tines in the locking unit.

The claims appended hereto are meant to cover modifications and changeswithin the scope and spirit of the present invention.

1. A locking nut and bolt system comprising: a bolt having a bolt stemalong an axial centerline and a bolt thread formed on said bolt stem,said bolt thread defining bolt thread crests and bolt thread troughs; aplurality of notches defined on said bolt thread generallylongitudinally in a predetermined pattern with proximal notches beinglongitudinally adjacent each other on said bolt thread, each notchhaving a lock face and an opposing slope; a nut having a nut threaddefined in an internal passageway and an end face, said nut thread beingcomplementary to said bolt thread; a recess defined on said end face ofsaid nut and a shoulder defined on a periphery of said recess below saidnut end face; a nut insert disposed in said recess on said shoulder,said nut insert having a planar body defined as a peripheral ring aboutsaid nut thread, said nut insert having at least one tine depending fromsaid planar peripheral ring body in a substantially tangential planewith respect to said axial centerline of said bolt, said tine having adistal tine end adapted to latch on said lock face of said notch and aproximal tine portion adjacent said peripheral planar body of said nutinsert; said plurality of tines circumferentially disposed about aradially inward edge of said planar peripheral ring of said nut insert,each tine having a respective planar body which is generallytangentially disposed with respect to said axial centerline and saidrespective distal tine end angularly disposed and radially inwardlydisposed away from said tine planar body; said planar peripheral ringdefining a radial free space axially there below in said nut recess suchthat said distal tine end of said axially tangential tine moves radiallyinward when said distal tine end is disposed in one or more notches andmoves radially outward into said radial free space when said distal tineend rides on said bolt thread crest, and said lock face of said notchpreventing counter-rotational movement of said bolt with respect to saidnut when said distal tine end abuts said lock face.
 2. A locking nut andbolt system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said planar peripheral ringdefines one of a key and a keyway and said nut recess defines one of acomplementary keyway and a complementary key thereby permittingcircumferential alignment of said nut insert with respect to said nut.3. A locking nut and bolt system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said nutinsert includes a plurality of tines circumferentially disposed andwherein said planar peripheral ring of said nut insert includes acorresponding planar support plate for each of said plurality of tines,each said planar support plate extending radially inward toward saidaxial centerline thereby creating said radial free space for the radialmovement of said tine there beneath and radially spacing said movabletine away from said shoulder of said recess.
 4. A locking nut and boltsystem as claimed in claim 3 wherein said planar peripheral plateincludes an outer peripheral planar section from which extends saidcorresponding planar support plates, said outer peripheral planarsection having a radial dimension substantially equivalent to saidshoulder in said recess.
 5. A locking nut and bolt system as claimed inclaim 1 wherein said plurality of notches are longitudinally aligned. 6.A locking nut and bolt system as claimed in claim 1 wherein saidplurality of notches are disposed in a spiral on said bolt thread.